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Related Concept Videos

Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 19, 2008

Obedient and wayward synaptic behavior.

David R Colman1

  • 1The Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.

Cell
|March 24, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synapse formation involves precise pre- and postsynaptic membrane interactions. Shen et al. reveal molecular cues guiding these crucial cellular connections.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Synapse formation is a critical developmental process.
  • It involves the precise linking of pre- and postsynaptic membranes.

Discussion:

  • Shen et al. investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying synapse formation.
  • The study focuses on target selection during pre- and postsynaptic membrane interactions.

Key Insights:

  • The research begins to elucidate the molecular instructions governing synapse assembly.
  • Understanding these cues is vital for comprehending neural circuit development.

Outlook:

  • Further research can build upon these findings to explore synapse stabilization.
  • This work provides a foundation for studying neurological disorders related to synaptic dysfunction.