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Related Concept Videos

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...
The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
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.
Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals
12:01

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals

Published on: October 1, 2014

The presynaptic active zone.

Thomas C Südhof1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304-5453, USA. tcs1@stanford.edu

Neuron
|July 17, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The active zone protein complex, including RIM and Munc13, docks and primes vesicles for neurotransmitter release. This complex is crucial for synaptic plasticity and the synapse's computational power.

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Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
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Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

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

Published on: May 25, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals
12:01

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals

Published on: October 1, 2014

Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
06:05

Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

Published on: April 27, 2011

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
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Synaptic transmission relies on neurotransmitter release via exocytosis.
  • The presynaptic nerve terminal's active zone is the site of this release.
  • Understanding the active zone's molecular machinery is key to understanding synaptic function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular composition and function of the presynaptic active zone.
  • To highlight the roles of core active zone proteins in synaptic vesicle exocytosis.
  • To discuss the contribution of the active zone complex to synaptic plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on active zone proteins and function.
  • Analysis of the roles of conserved protein complexes in synaptic transmission.
  • Discussion of experimental evidence linking active zone structure to synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Active zones contain an evolutionarily conserved protein complex with RIM, Munc13, RIM-BP, α-liprin, and ELKS as core constituents.
  • This complex is essential for docking and priming synaptic vesicles, recruiting Ca(2+) channels, and aligning with postsynaptic structures.
  • The complex mediates both short- and long-term synaptic plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • The active zone protein complex is a fundamental component of synaptic transmission.
  • This complex plays a critical role in regulating neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity.
  • The molecular organization of the active zone underlies the computational capabilities of synapses.