Nigel Unwin,a scientist at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology,Cambridge,studying the structure of a receptor for acetylcholine,a neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine is released across the junction (synapse) between adjacent nerve cells to bind to receptors on the target cell membrane. A shape change associated with bound neurotransitter/receptor results in pores (ion channels) opening for a fraction of a second. Sodium & potassium ions flood through,altering the electrical potential & firing a second nerve impulse. 3-D composites of electron micrographs were used to build the ion channel model | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / King-Holmes, James |
Taille de l’image : | 5102 px × 3498 px |
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Property Release : | Non requis |
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