When neurons release their neurotransmitters, they release them by secretory vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane thereby emptying their contents into an area that can stimulate some response. What type of cellular transport is occurring as the vesicle forms and then surfaces on the cell's plasma membrane?

Question

Dirty Harry

Biology

19 March, 15:58

When neurons release their neurotransmitters, they release them by secretory vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane thereby emptying their contents into an area that can stimulate some response. What type of cellular transport is occurring as the vesicle forms and then surfaces on the cell's plasma membrane?

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Answers (1)

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Emery Blevins · Answer 1

Answer: This cellular transport is the exocytosis.

Explanation:

The nervous system produces and regulates all aspects of the functions of the human body and their complexity seems infinite. Neurotransmitters are stored in synaptic vesicles. The depolarization of a nerve terminal by an action potential results in the opening of calcium channels operated by voltage. The resulting Ca2 + influx triggers exocytosis, which is a rapid fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane, releasing neurotransmitters to the synaptic cleft.

Exocytosis involves the joining of intrinsic proteins from the plasma, vesicular and presynaptic membranes, specific anchor and fusion proteins in the active zone. Following the release, the vesicle membranes are rapidly reincorporated via endocytosis and recycled inside the synaptic terminal. The terminal is, therefore, a standalone unit that contains all the elements required for vesicle exocytosis, the proteins responsible for biosynthesis neurotransmitter and vesicle reuptake.