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This lesson covers synaptic transmission as required by the Edexcel A-Level Biology specification (9BI0), Topic 9 -- Control Systems. You need to understand the structure of a cholinergic synapse, the mechanism of transmission across it, and the roles of different types of synapses.
A synapse is the junction between two neurones, or between a neurone and an effector cell (muscle or gland). There is a small gap -- the synaptic cleft (approximately 20-30 nm wide) -- between the two cells.
The neurone transmitting the signal is the presynaptic neurone; the neurone (or effector) receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neurone.
Signals cross the synaptic cleft via chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. This is therefore called chemical synaptic transmission.
A cholinergic synapse uses acetylcholine (ACh) as its neurotransmitter. This is the type you are expected to know in detail for the Edexcel specification.
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