What Is a Synapse

question 63

Multiple Choice

What is a synapse?

• A) The site where a "message" is transmitted from one nerve cell to another
• B) A chemical substance that is released by a transmitting neuron
• C) A fatty coating that increases the rate at which messages travel through neurons
• D) The part of the neuron that keeps it alive

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Definitions:

Reticular Formation

A network of neurons located in the brainstem that is critical for regulating wakefulness and sleep-wake transitions.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals in the brain that transmit signals from one neuron to another, affecting mood, thought processes, and physical actions.

Adenosine

A chemical found in the body that plays a role in promoting sleep and suppressing arousal, and is also a component of RNA.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter in the nervous system that plays a critical role in muscle contraction and the modulation of alertness, memory, and learning.