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Related Concept Videos

Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

10.1K
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...
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The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

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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.
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Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

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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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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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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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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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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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Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

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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...
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Electrical and chemical synapses share similar organizational principle.

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Uncovering the electrical synapse proteome in retinal neurons via in vivo proximity labeling.

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Uncovering the electrical synapse proteome in retinal neurons via in vivo proximity labeling.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Electrophysiological Investigations of Retinogeniculate and Corticogeniculate Synapse Function
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Electrophysiological Investigations of Retinogeniculate and Corticogeniculate Synapse Function

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Electrical synapses and their functional interactions with chemical synapses.

Alberto E Pereda1

  • 1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.

Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|March 13, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Neurons communicate via chemical and electrical synapses. This article highlights their crucial interaction for brain development and function, suggesting a unified view of synaptic transmission.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Neuronal communication is essential for brain function.
  • Synapses are key sites for interneuronal information transfer.
  • Two primary modes of synaptic transmission exist: chemical and electrical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To emphasize the interactive nature of chemical and electrical synaptic transmission.
  • To challenge the view of independent synaptic modalities.
  • To highlight the importance of their interaction in brain development and function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature.
  • Synthesis of evidence on synaptic transmission modalities.
  • Conceptual framework development.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests chemical and electrical synaptic transmission are not independent.
  • These modalities interact throughout brain development and in adulthood.
  • Synaptic transmission is best understood as a dual chemical-electrical process.

Conclusions:

  • Interactions between chemical and electrical synapses are vital.
  • Normal brain development and function may depend on this interplay.
  • A unified perspective on synaptic transmission is proposed.