Question

The space between presynaptic and postsynaptic is called as
A. Synapse
B. Neurotransmitter
C. Nodes of Ranvier
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The space between presynaptic and postsynaptic is known as a neuronal junction. It helps to transmit electrical impulses between two nerves or between one nerve and a muscle.

Complete answer:
Synapse is a space between pre and postsynaptic nerves.
It helps to transmit electrical as well as chemical impulse.
Neurotransmitters (for example acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, etc) are released from the presynaptic cleft and received by specific receptors that are present on the post synapse.
Nodes of Ranvier is a gap that is present in the axon of a nerve where two myelin sheath fuses. The gap of Nodes of Ranvier is present in a periodic manner, which means the distance between two gaps is the same for a neuron.
It helps in the rapid transmission of nerve impulses.

Additional information: The flow of signal by the synapse is unidirectional.
The word synapse comes from the Greek word ‘Synapsis’, which means conjugation.
Two types of synapses are present –
1. Chemical synapse: In this case, the electrical signal of the presynaptic neuron is converted to the chemical signal by the activation of voltage-gated calcium ion channels. The signal is released from the presynaptic cleft in the form of a neurotransmitter and received by the postsynaptic neuron and then the subsequent action takes place.
2. Electrical synapse: In this case, the signal transmission takes place by the passing of electric current as the pre and postsynaptic neurons are connected by gap junctions.

So, the correct answer is option A. Synapse.

Note: The main function of the synapse is to pass the nerve impulse.
Moreover, it also helps in the formation of memory by strengthening the synapse, also known as long-term potentiation, which results in the storage of information and converts the information into memory.