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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

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...
Neuron Structure01:31

Neuron Structure

Overview
Neuron Structure01:30

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to cellular...
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: May 21, 2026

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

Evolution of synapse complexity and diversity.

Richard D Emes1, Seth G N Grant

  • 1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, United Kingdom. richard.emes@nottingham.ac.uk

Annual Review of Neuroscience
|June 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synapse proteomes, the complex protein networks in nerve cell connections, evolved early and drove the development of nervous systems and behaviors. Genome duplications significantly increased their complexity, leading to novel functions in vertebrates.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

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

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

An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
09:33

An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins

Published on: June 26, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Synapses are complex molecular systems essential for physiological and behavioral functions.
  • Synapse protein networks evolved from ancient prokaryotic and eukaryotic precursors.
  • The evolution of these networks predates the origin of neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary origins and complexity of synapse proteomes.
  • To understand how protein organization in synapses contributes to nervous system complexity.
  • To investigate the role of evolutionary processes in shaping synaptic mechanisms and behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic analysis of mammalian synapse composition.
  • Comparative analysis of protein network evolution across different life forms.
  • Investigating the impact of genome duplications on synaptic complexity.

Main Results:

  • Synapse protein classes and functions originated before neuronal evolution.
  • Eukaryotic multiprotein complexes formed precursors to postsynaptic machinery.
  • Genome duplications dramatically increased protosynapse machinery complexity, driving vertebrate novelty.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution and organization of synapse proteomes are fundamental to the origin and complexity of nervous systems.
  • Natural selection has constrained mammalian postsynaptic mechanisms and behavioral repertoires.
  • Understanding synapse proteomes provides insights into the evolution of behavior and cognition.