Question

What happens to synaptic vesicles during an action potential?

(a) They degrade their contents

(b) They open up inside the synaptic knob

(c) They move towards and fuse with the plasma membrane

(d) They are released into the synapse

I had been asked this question in an international level competition.

This intriguing question originated from Neuron-2 topic in chapter Neural Control and Coordination of Biology – Class 11

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) They move towards and fuse with the plasma membrane

The best I can explain: During an action potential, the synaptic vesicles move towards the membrane of the neuron and fuse with the plasma membrane. This results in the release of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.