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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...
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...
Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

Overview
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...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices
12:51

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Published on: November 29, 2012

Electrical advantages of dendritic spines.

Allan T Gulledge1, Nicholas T Carnevale, Greg J Stuart

  • 1Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America. allan.gulledge@dartmouth.edu

Plos One
|April 26, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Dendritic spines standardize excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) by reducing location-dependent variability. This standardization ensures consistent synaptic activation of receptors and facilitates neuronal firing, suggesting a key role for spines in neuronal computation.

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Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software
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Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

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Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons
11:48

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons

Published on: July 13, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices
12:51

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Published on: November 29, 2012

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software
07:45

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Published on: September 27, 2024

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons
11:48

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons

Published on: July 13, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Neurons primarily receive excitatory input on dendritic spines.
  • Synaptic input on dendritic shafts without spines shows location-dependent variability in excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitude and kinetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that dendritic spines standardize local synaptic input geometry.
  • To determine if spines reduce location-dependent variability of local EPSP properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized computational models of spiny neurons, including simplified and morphologically realistic models.
  • Compared EPSPs generated on spine heads versus dendritic shafts at identical locations.
  • Assessed EPSP properties across various spine neck resistances and dynamic neck geometry regulation.

Main Results:

  • Spines significantly reduced location-dependent variability in local EPSP amplitude and kinetics.
  • Spines had minimal impact on EPSPs measured at the soma.
  • Standardization by spines improved NMDA receptor and calcium channel activation, facilitating NMDA spikes and action potentials.
  • Dynamic spine neck regulation preserved local EPSP properties during synaptic plasticity but was inefficient for distal compartments.

Conclusions:

  • Dendritic spines standardize local EPSP properties across the dendritic tree.
  • This standardization enables uniform activation of voltage-sensitive mechanisms, crucial for neuronal function.
  • Spines play a vital role in ensuring reliable synaptic integration and neuronal excitability.