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Synaptic Signaling

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...

Synaptic Signaling

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.

Integration of Synaptic Events

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity

Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity

Drugs exert their therapeutic effects by interacting with receptors, enzymes, or ion channels that are present throughout the human body. The strength and duration of the interaction between a drug and its target receptor are characterized by the selectivity and specificity of the drug. Selectivity refers to a drug's strong preference for its intended target over other targets. For instance, isoprenaline, a non-selective β-adrenergic agonist, interacts with both β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors...

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...

Chemical Synapses

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 21, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Published on: April 23, 2019

Many paths to synaptic specificity.

Joshua R Sanes¹, Masahito Yamagata

¹Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. sanesj@mcb.harvard.edu

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology

|July 7, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The nervous system forms specific synaptic connections using multiple molecular mechanisms. These ensure axons connect correctly at cellular and subcellular levels for precise neural circuit formation.

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Published on: April 23, 2019

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

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3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity

3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity

Published on: May 18, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

The nervous system exhibits remarkable specificity in synaptic connections, crucial for proper neural circuit function.
Axons must navigate long distances and select precise synaptic partners at both cellular and subcellular levels.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the mechanisms underlying selective synapse formation in the nervous system.
To highlight the role of molecular interactions in ensuring accurate neural connectivity.

Main Methods:

Review of recent studies in vertebrate and invertebrate systems.
Identification of molecules mediating synaptic partner selection and guidance.

Main Results:

Synapse formation is selective at cellular and subcellular levels.
Multiple mechanisms, including molecular labels and guidance cues, ensure proper connectivity.
Specific molecules have been identified that mediate some of these interactions.

Conclusions:

Neural circuit specification involves the integration of multiple mechanisms.
Molecular interactions play a critical role in establishing precise synaptic connections.