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Related Concept Videos

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 Signaling01:12

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.
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...
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
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 12, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
10:52

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

Published on: April 23, 2019

What is transmitted in "synaptic transmission"?

Erik Montagna1, Adriana M S de Azevedo, Camilla Romano

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. erik.montagna@usp.br

Advances in Physiology Education
|June 5, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neurophysiology students often misunderstand synaptic function, believing action potentials transfer directly between neurons. Educators should use "synaptic integration" instead of "synaptic transmission" to prevent this common misconception.

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Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

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Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
10:52

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

Published on: April 23, 2019

Dopamine Release at Individual Presynaptic Terminals Visualized with FFNs
09:37

Dopamine Release at Individual Presynaptic Terminals Visualized with FFNs

Published on: August 31, 2009

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
08:38

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

Published on: May 25, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology
  • Science Education

Background:

  • Students often hold misconceptions about neurophysiology, particularly regarding events at the presynaptic terminal.
  • A common error is equating information transfer with action potential propagation between neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and address a prevalent misconception in neurophysiology education.
  • To propose pedagogical strategies for improving student understanding of synaptic function.

Main Methods:

  • Surveying student comprehension of textbook excerpts on synaptic events.
  • Analyzing the language used in teaching materials to identify potential sources of confusion.

Main Results:

  • Over half of surveyed students accepted a textbook statement that perpetuated the misconception.
  • The term "synaptic transmission" was identified as a key factor contributing to this misunderstanding.

Conclusions:

  • The term "synaptic transmission" may inaccurately imply unchanged transfer, leading to student misconceptions.
  • Shifting terminology to "synaptic integration" and focusing on synaptic event function can enhance student learning.