NEET-UG Biology · Class 11
Passing the signal at a synapse — NEET & JEE Questions
Passing the signal at a synapse is a topic in Neural Control and Coordination, a Class 11 Biology chapter of the NEET-UG syllabus. TestBudy holds 14 published NEET-UG questions on Passing the signal at a synapse, each with the marking scheme of the real paper. The ideas it examines include Electrical vs chemical synapse differences, Steps in releasing a neurotransmitter.
- questions
- 14
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- 10
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Key formulas and concepts
The ideas Passing the signal at a synapse is examined on, as they are tagged in the syllabus tree.
- Electrical vs chemical synapse differences
- Steps in releasing a neurotransmitter
Passing the signal at a synapse MCQs with solutions
10 of the 14 published questions on this topic, exactly as they appear in a test. Answers and worked solutions come with your result rather than on this page.
A typical chemical synapse conducts in one direction mainly because:
- A. myelin covers the cleft
- B. both sides release identical transmitters simultaneously
- C. neurotransmitter is released presynaptically and receptors are postsynaptic
- D. ions cannot cross any membrane
What is released from a presynaptic terminal at a chemical synapse?
- A. Neurotransmitter
- B. Myelin protein
- C. Cerebrospinal fluid
- D. Nissl granules
What is the narrow gap between two cells at a chemical synapse called?
- A. Node of Ranvier
- B. Synaptic cleft
- C. Central canal
- D. Axon hillock
Why is transmission at a typical chemical synapse mainly one-way?
- A. The cleft allows current only forward
- B. Both cells release identical transmitters
- C. Release machinery is presynaptic and receptors are postsynaptic
- D. Postsynaptic membranes lack ion channels
What normally triggers synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane?
- A. Closure of voltage-gated channels
- B. Potassium entry into the postsynaptic cell
- C. Breakdown of the myelin sheath
- D. Calcium entry into the presynaptic terminal
At a chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters are stored in synaptic vesicles located in the
- A. dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron
- B. synaptic cleft
- C. axon terminal of the pre-synaptic neuron
- D. cell body of the post-synaptic neuron
A toxin prevents synaptic vesicles from fusing with the presynaptic membrane. Which event fails first?
- A. Neurotransmitter release
- B. Axonal action-potential propagation
- C. Myelin formation
- D. DNA replication in the neuron
A neurotransmitter opens sodium-permeable channels on the postsynaptic membrane. What is the immediate effect?
- A. Postsynaptic hyperpolarisation
- B. Postsynaptic depolarisation
- C. Permanent loss of resting potential
- D. Formation of new myelin
Why is rapid removal of neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft important?
- A. It converts the synapse into an electrical junction
- B. It keeps receptors permanently active
- C. It terminates the signal and allows the synapse to reset
- D. It prevents future vesicle production
A nerve impulse reaches the axon terminal of a neuron whose synapse with the next neuron has a fluid-filled gap. Arrange the events that follow in the correct order: (1) neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the post-synaptic membrane; (2) synaptic vesicles fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane; (3) ion channels open, generating a new potential; (4) neurotransmitter diffuses across the cleft.
- A. 4-2-1-3
- B. 1-2-4-3
- C. 2-1-4-3
- D. 2-4-1-3
Common mistakes in Passing the signal at a synapse
Recorded against questions in this topic that are not shown above, so none of these points at an answer you can see on this page.
- Assuming any excitatory input automatically generates an action potential.
- Looking only at postsynaptic receptors and overlooking the presynaptic release mechanism.
- Assigns the neurotransmitter to the electrical synapse, or the cleft to the electrical one.
- Believes the neurotransmitter itself carries the signal into the post-synaptic cell.
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