"Synapses are essential to the transmission of nervous impulses from one neuron to another."
The structures where neurotransmitters are released and interact with other neurons or cells.
Neurotransmitters: These are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons at the synapse.
Pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons: The pre-synaptic neuron is the neuron that releases neurotransmitters at the synapse, while the post-synaptic neuron is the neuron that receives the neurotransmitters.
Receptors: These are proteins on the post-synaptic neuron that bind to neurotransmitters and initiate a cellular response.
Synaptic plasticity: This refers to the ability of synapses to change their strength and effectiveness over time, which is important for learning and memory.
Long-term potentiation (LTP): This is a process by which synapses become stronger and more effective with repeated use.
Long-term depression (LTD): This is a process by which synapses become weaker and less effective with repeated use.
Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters: Excitatory neurotransmitters activate post-synaptic neurons, while inhibitory neurotransmitters prevent activation.
Ionotropic and metabotropic receptors: Ionotropic receptors are directly linked to ion channels and result in rapid changes in post-synaptic neuron activity, while metabotropic receptors activate intracellular signaling pathways and result in slower changes in post-synaptic neuron activity.
Synaptic cleft: This is the space between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons where neurotransmitters are released and received.
Vesicles: These are small sacs in the pre-synaptic neuron that contain neurotransmitters.
Calcium channels: These channels in the pre-synaptic neuron allow calcium ions to enter, triggering the release of neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitter recycling: This is the process by which neurotransmitters are taken back up into the pre-synaptic neuron or broken down in the synaptic cleft to be recycled.
Synaptic transmission: This is the process by which neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic neuron, bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron, and initiate a cellular response.
Synaptic integration: This is the process by which multiple inputs to a single post-synaptic neuron are integrated to produce a response.
Neuromodulators: These are molecules that can modify the activity of neurons and synapses, but are not themselves neurotransmitters.
Chemical Synapse: This is the most common type of synapse. It is a junction between two neurons or between a neuron and a target cell, such as a muscle cell or a gland cell. The communication between these cells is achieved through the release and binding of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse.
Electrical Synapse: This type of synapse is less common than chemical synapses. In this type of synapse, the pre- and post-synaptic cells are connected by special channels called gap junctions. These gap junctions allow the transfer of electrical signals between the cells, which allows for rapid communication between neurons.
Neuromuscular Junction: This is a type of chemical synapse between a neuron and a muscle cell. It allows for the transmission of signals from the neuron to the muscle, ultimately leading to the contraction of the muscle. The neurotransmitter used at this synapse is acetylcholine.
Non-Classical Synapse: This type of synapse is a kind of chemical synapse in which the neurotransmitter is not released from the pre-synaptic cell, but rather from another cell that is not a neuron (such as an astrocyte or a glial cell).
Ribbon Synapse: This type of synapse is a unique form of chemical synapse found in sensory systems. It is characterized by a distinctive structure known as a "ribbon," which helps to regulate neurotransmitter release.
Redundant Synapse: This is a type of synapse where multiple synapses connect the same pre- and post-synaptic neurons. It helps to ensure reliable communication between neurons.
"At a synapse, the plasma membrane of the signal-passing neuron comes into close apposition with the membrane of the target cell."
"Neurons are specialized to pass signals to individual target cells, and synapses are the means by which they do so."
"In many synapses, the presynaptic part is located on an axon..."
"...and the postsynaptic part is located on a dendrite or soma."
"Astrocytes also exchange information with the synaptic neurons, responding to synaptic activity and, in turn, regulating neurotransmission."
"Synapses (at least chemical synapses) are stabilized in position by synaptic adhesion molecules (SAMs) projecting from both the pre- and post-synaptic neuron and sticking together where they overlap."
"Both the presynaptic and postsynaptic sites contain extensive arrays of molecular machinery that link the two membranes together and carry out the signaling process."
"SAMs may also assist in the generation and functioning of synapses."
"Synapses are essential to the transmission of nervous impulses from one neuron to another."
"The presynaptic neuron comes into close apposition with the membrane of the postsynaptic cell."
"Astrocytes...regulating neurotransmission."
"At a synapse, the plasma membrane of the signal-passing neuron comes into close apposition with the membrane of the target cell."
"Synaptic adhesion molecules (SAMs) projecting from both the pre- and post-synaptic neuron and sticking together where they overlap."
"Synapses are essential to the transmission of nervous impulses from one neuron to another."
"At a synapse, the plasma membrane of the signal-passing neuron comes into close apposition with the membrane of the target cell."
"Astrocytes also exchange information with the synaptic neurons, responding to synaptic activity and, in turn, regulating neurotransmission."
"Both the presynaptic and postsynaptic sites contain extensive arrays of molecular machinery..."
"Neurons are specialized to pass signals to individual target cells..."
"...molecular machinery that link the two membranes together and carry out the signaling process."