The cause of synaptic delay is attributed mainly to the time needed for the synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. While it can be considered a combination of binding to the presynaptic membrane (which is relatively a transient process) and subsequent exocytosis of the neurotransmitter, the main factor is release. Additionally, it does take a very short period of time for the neurotransmitter to diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to to its receptors on the post-synaptic membrane.
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The synaptic delay is caused by the process of neurotransmitter release, diffusion across the synaptic cleft, binding to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron, and the propagation of the electrical signal through the post-synaptic cell. This series of events takes time to occur, leading to the delay in signal transmission across the synapse.
The monosynaptic reflex, such as the knee-jerk reflex, has the least synaptic delay because it involves only one synapse between sensory and motor neurons in the spinal cord. This direct connection allows for a rapid response to a stimulus.
depolarization of the presynaptic membrane due to an arriving action potential
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels. The influx of calcium causes the synaptic vesicles to move towards the cell membrane and fuse with it, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
synaptic cleft, where neurotransmitters are released by the synaptic terminal and bind to receptors on the muscle fiber to trigger a muscle contraction.
Chemicals that bridge the synaptic gap are called neurotransmitters.