In this IBDP Biology Blog post, we will be looking at different neurotransmitters used as well as what is used as an alternative for pesticide usages.

Cholinergic Synapses  

Synapes do not all use the same neurotransmitters

Many do use Actylecholine which activates mucles

• Pre-synaptic neuron secretes acytlecholine into the synaptic cleft
• Actylecholine diffuses across synapse
• Binds to receptors in the post-synaptic neuron
• Acytlecholine is broken down into acytle and choline in the cleft by an enzyme Cholinesterase in the cleft
• Choline is reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron  

Neonicotinoids  

• A type of insectide similiar to nicotine

Bind to post-synaptic receptors in insects that normally accept the neurotransmitter Actylecholine

It is not broken down by Cholinerstrase

Therefore the receptor becomes permenantly blocked and actylecholine cannot bind.

This causes the paralysis of the insect and can possibly lead to death.   

That is all!

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References:

• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fib.bioninja.com.au%2Fstandard-level%2Ftopic-6-human-physiology%2F65-neurons-and-synapses%2Fneurotransmitters.html&psig=AOvVaw2k7ybZ2p0fgTuPgBOEmmXY&ust=1627393666564000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCICFx_3vgPICFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getbodysmart.com%2Fnervous-system%2Fneurotransmitter-release&psig=AOvVaw3MA2HqqqovBG0QwWGJDSuu&ust=1627393963133000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCKDLh4vxgPICFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Drafted by Venetia (Biology)