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About Nicholas Unger
Expertise
I am particularly adept at answering any sort of question relating to the action of various neurotransmitters on neurons. Any sort of Neurophysiology/Cell Physiology or Neuropharmacology questions, particularly ion channel based in relation to physiological response. Anything other than that will earn you an educated guess.
Experience
I have worked in a Neurophysiology lab for 3 years now on various projects for my dissertation. My expertise is the hypothalamic homeostatic control mechanisms in thermoregulation. Also neural control mechanisms in general as well as Suspended Animation techniques and theory.
Organizations
American Physiology Society
Education/Credentials
Capital Univeristy- B.A Biology-premed Minor Psychology 06'
The Ohio State University - Ph.D Candidate Biophysics 10'
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You are here: Experts > Science > Neurosciences > Neuroscience > Questions that I have regarding Neurobiology
Expert: Nicholas Unger
Date: 10/2/2008
Subject: Questions that I have regarding Neurobiology
Question
When neurotransmitters are released, what keeps them from floating away, out of the synapse (off to either side)?
What keeps the neurons in place with respect to each other when they are not attached?
Answer
James,
A very good question indeed. The answer is fairly simple although you can always find cases within organisms that will not follow the rules. As you may know some neurotransmitters are designed to be dispersed in a wider area. Paracrine..autocrine etc..these terms are generally used for hormones but many hormonese are also considered neurotransmitters.
Generally a synapse is sealed off to begin with or at least has very little room for the neurotransmitters to escape from the synaptic cleft.
Also take for example Acetylcholine...which which is typically found in neuromuscular junctions. After it binds to the receptor its action is terminated by an enzyme called Acetlycholinesterase which will prevent it from causing a tetany of the muscle. (Look up Curare for fun, it is a poison that amazon tribes use which blocks acetylcholinesterase action).
So long story short. Enzymes will keep them from floating off in some instances. Other instances there synapse is rather isolated and sealed, and finally other times it is meant to be more broadly dispersed and will go out of the synapse.
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