Question

Which of the following statements about electrical synapses is FALSE _______

A) Gap junctions are formed from proteins called connexins.
B) Electrical synapses connect hypothalamic neurons that release tropic hormones.
C) Electrical synapses are usually for small-response, single neuron firing.
D) Electrical synapses are found in the brainstem.
E) Electrical synapses are found in the retina.

Answer 1

The false statement about electrical synapses is that they are usually for small-response, single-neuron firing. They are crucial for the rapid and synchronized activity of neuron groups. The option (C) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electrical synapses are usually for small-response, single-neuron firing. Electrical synapses allow for virtually instantaneous signaling, which can occur bidirectionally. They are important for synchronizing the electrical activity of a group of neurons, rather than just producing small, single-neuron responses. For instance, electrical synapses in the retina and brainstem help to synchronize information processing within these structures.

Gap junctions, which are found in electrical synapses, indeed consist of proteins called connexins, and they are known to be present in the hypothalamus where they are involved in the release of tropic hormones, in the brainstem, and the retina. Therefore, option (C) is correct.