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synapse
Synapse is a junction with a minute gap that separates two neurons (nerve cells),
the basic unit of the nervous system in the brain. They are also found between
a neuron and a muscle cell or gland. An adult human brain roughly has 1,000 to
5,000 trillion synapses.
The functions of synapses depend on where they are found. The three forms based
on their location are: axodendritic – axon of one neuron and the dendrite of the next
adjacent neuron. This is the most common form of synapse that dominates the
nervous system; axosomatic – axon of one neuron and the cell body of the other
neuron; axoaxonic – between two axons.
Conduction of nerve impulses in the body is a one-way process where each neuron
has a neurotransmitter (e.g. acetylcholine, adenosine, or norepinephrine) that is
released into the synaptic cleft, while the adjacent neuron has the receptor to bind
the neurotransmitter. Whether a neurotransmitter promotes or inhibits the
generation of signal depends on the receptor it binds.
Types
Synapses are fundamentally classified into two different types based on how the
neurons function to communicate: 1) chemical synapse and 2) electrical synapse.
1) Chemical Synapse
Found in vertebrates, it works using neurotransmitters that establish the virtual
connection between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.
The arrival of the signal in the presynaptic neuron triggers the release of
neurotransmitters, which then diffuses across the synaptic cleft. This step occurs in
the presence of calcium ions, where the fusion of the synaptic vesicle with the axon
terminal membrane of the presynaptic neuron allows the release of the
neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. The binding of the neurotransmitter to the
receptor of the postsynaptic neuron excites the postsynaptic neuron to carry
forward the signal.
2) Electrical Synapse
Mostly found in invertebrates and lower vertebrates, they form direct physical
connections between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. This connection
takes the form of a channel called a gap junction, which allows ions to flow
directly from one cell into another.
Nervous system
The nervous system has two main parts. Each part contains billions of
cells called neurons, or nerve cells. These special cells send and receive
electrical signals through your body to tell it what to do.
The main parts of the nervous system are:
Central nervous system (CNS): Your brain and spinal cord make up

your CNS. Your brain uses your nerves to send messages to the rest of
your body. Each nerve has a protective outer layer called myelin. Myelin
insulates the nerve and helps the messages get through.
Peripheral nervous system: Your peripheral nervous system consists of

many nerves that branch out from your CNS all over your body. This
system relays information from your brain and spinal cord to your
organs, arms, legs, fingers and toes.
peripheral nervous system contains
 Somatic nervous system, which guides your voluntary movements.
The somatic nervous system (SNS), or voluntary nervous system is the part of

the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body movements
via skeletal muscles
The somatic nervous system consists of sensory nerves carrying afferent nerve fibers,
which relay sensation from the body to the central nervous system (CNS), and motor
nerves carrying efferent nerve fibers, which relay motor commands from the CNS to
stimulate muscle contraction.
 Autonomic nervous system, which controls the activities you do without thinking
about them.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS), is a division of the peripheral nervous

system that supplies smooth muscle and glands, and thus influences the function
of internal organs. The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely
unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart
rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal
The autonomic nervous system is regulated by integrated reflexes through

the brainstem to the spinal cord and organs. Autonomic functions include control of
respiration, cardiac regulation (the cardiac control center), vasomotor activity
(the vasomotor center), and certain reflex actions such
as coughing, sneezing, swallowing and vomiting. Those are then subdivided into other
areas and are also linked to autonomic subsystems and the peripheral nervous system.
The hypothalamus, just above the brain stem, acts as an integrator for autonomic
functions, receiving autonomic regulatory input from the limbic system

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synapse

The main parts of the nervous system are:

Central nervous system (CNS): Your brain and spinal cord make up

Peripheral nervous system: Your peripheral nervous system consists of

peripheral nervous system contains

 Somatic nervous system, which guides your voluntary movements.

The somatic nervous system (SNS), or voluntary nervous system is the part of

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), is a division of the peripheral nervous

The autonomic nervous system is regulated by integrated reflexes through

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