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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.
Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...
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...
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

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

How it's made: the synapse.

Luke A D Bury1, Shasta L Sabo

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.

Molecular Interventions
|November 4, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Synapse formation in the mammalian central nervous system involves stabilizing axon-dendrite contacts and organizing presynaptic terminal components. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for treating neurological disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Cellular Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Synapse formation is a fundamental process in neurobiology.
  • The precise mechanisms governing presynaptic terminal development remain incompletely understood.
  • Dysfunctional synapse formation is implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of presynaptic terminal formation in the mammalian central nervous system.
  • To discuss the spatiotemporal regulation of synapse assembly.
  • To explore the role of molecular components and organizational principles in synapse development.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research findings.
  • It integrates data from molecular biology, cell biology, and systems neuroscience.

More Related Videos

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain
12:14

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Published on: September 14, 2022

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

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

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain
12:14

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Published on: September 14, 2022

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

  • Focuses on studies investigating presynaptic development in mammals.

    • Main Results:

    • Synapse formation requires coordinated stabilization of neuronal contacts and assembly of presynaptic structures.
    • The accumulation of presynaptic components at specific sites is critical for initiating synapse development.
    • Evidence suggests an ordered, potentially master-organizer-dependent, process for synapse assembly.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding synapse formation is key to addressing the pathophysiology of brain diseases.
    • Further research into presynaptic development can inform therapeutic strategies for conditions like autism, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease.
    • Elucidating the molecular choreography of synapse assembly is a critical frontier in neuroscience.