Biology/Synaptc cleft?
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Question
(Note: okay, I realize that this is a weird question, but it has been bothering me for a while...)
What, if anything, is in the synapse of a neuromuscular junction? We're all taught that there is a pre-synaptic nerve and a post-synaptic receptor with a synaptic cleft in between. But what is in the synaptic cleft, the space between the two nerves? It can't be air, because that would be silly, and because it seems like neurotransmitters would have to travel in solution somehow from the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron. So is it just some isotonic solution? Maybe extracellular fluid or lymph? Or something?
Thanks for your time,
Megan
Dear Megan,
You're correct! It's fluid, and when there's not an impulse being transmitted, it's isotonic with the surrounding cells. All our cells and tissues are bathed and surrounded by fluids of various composition. Without this, there could be no inter-cellular communication--not to mention many other problems.
:)
Dana
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Dear Dr. Krempeis, Thank you so much for your help! I've been wondering about that for a long time, and I've asked a whole bunch of people who didn't know the answer (my bio professor, an anesthesiologist, some nurses, etc) and I was starting to lose hope. Now I finally know! Thanks again, Megan LaPorte | ||
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Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
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I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!
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At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).
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I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980).
I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.
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I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.
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