15.1.8

Cholinergic Synnapses

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Cholinergic Synapses

Synapses that use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter are called cholinergic synapses. Although acetylcholine is also used at a neuromuscular junction, there are some key differences:

Types of postsynaptic cell

Types of postsynaptic cell

  • Cholinergic synapses are between two neurones.
  • Neuromuscular junctions are between a motor neurone and a muscle cell.
Number of receptors

Number of receptors

  • There are less receptors in the postsynaptic membrane at a cholinergic synapse than at a neuromuscular junction.
Type of response

Type of response

  • A cholinergic synapse can trigger an inhibitory or excitatory response in the postsynaptic membrane.
  • An action potential at a neuromuscular junction always triggers an excitatory response in the muscle cell.
Result of depolarisation

Result of depolarisation

  • In a cholinergic synapse, depolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane results in an action potential.
  • At a neuromuscular junction, depolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane results in muscle contraction.
Acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase

  • Acetylcholinesterase is the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine after it has bound to the receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
    • In cholinergic synapses, the enzyme is located in the synaptic cleft.
    • At a neuromuscular junction, the enzyme is stored in clefts in the postsynaptic membrane.
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Cell Structure

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Cell Structure

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Enzymes

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Transport in Plants

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Photosynthesis

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Homeostasis in Plants

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15

Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

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Control & Coordination in Mammals

15.1.1Neurones15.1.2Receptors15.1.3Taste15.1.4Reflexes15.1.5Action Potentials15.1.6Saltatory Conduction15.1.7Synapses15.1.8Cholinergic Synnapses15.1.9Neuromuscular Junction15.1.10Skeletal Muscle15.1.11Sliding Filament Theory Contraction15.1.12Sliding Filament Theory Contraction 215.1.13Menstruation15.1.14Contraceptive Pill
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Variation

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18

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Biodiversity

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Classification

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19

Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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Manipulating Genomes

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Genetic Technology Applied to Medicine

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Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture

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Practice questions on Cholinergic Synnapses

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What are the differences between neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic synapses?Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Which of the following statements about cholinergic synapses are true?True / false
  3. 3
    Where is acetylcholinesterase stored in a neuromuscular junction?Multiple choice
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Synapses

Neuromuscular Junction