The structure of the synaptic connections between identified sensory and giant command neurons of the parietal ganglia of the snail is examined. It is shown that the excitatory postsynaptic potential arising in the giant neuron in response to the generation of a single action potential in the presynaptic neuron consists of several monosynaptic components and may include polysynaptic components. It is hypothesized that monosynaptic components of the elementary excitatory postsynaptic potential that differ in the duration of the latent period and the dynamics of habituation may be associated with the activation of synaptic buttons on axon terminals of varying length.
The microanatomy of the pre- and postsynaptic neurons and the structure of the monosynaptic connection LPa7-LPa3 are described on the basis of planar reconstruction of sections of preparations of the CNS of the edible snail with neurons marked by heavy metal salts. Some physiological features of the presynaptic neuron and the monosynaptic connection were studied. The criteria for the identification of the LPa7 neuron according to its position in the ganglion, to the physiological reaction of LPa3, and to its microanatomy were determined. The position in the ganglion of three other neurons which form monosynaptic connections with LPa3 is described. The plasticity of the LPa7-LPa3 connection is demonstrated. The possibility of the realization of plasticity through the cutting off of individual synapses composing the connection is hypothesized. The results of 65 experiments on the identification of LPa7, the physiological characteristics of this cell, and its monosynaptic connection with LPa3, are summarized in this study. One preparation with a monosynaptic connection is reconstructed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.