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Related Concept Videos

Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

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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...
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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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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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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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Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

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Putative duality of presynaptic events.

Tatiana Borisova, Arsenii Borysov

    Reviews in the Neurosciences
    |January 27, 2016
    PubMed
    Summary

    The brain uses two independent mechanisms for glutamate regulation at presynaptic terminals: exocytosis and transporter turnover. This dual system influences synaptic signaling, plasticity, and memory formation.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Cell Biology
    • Neurochemistry

    Background:

    • Chemical synapses regulate nerve signal transmission and neurotransmitter release via presynaptic nerve terminals.
    • Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS).

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze glutamate transport mechanisms at the presynaptic level.
    • To investigate how presynaptic mechanisms influence extracellular glutamate concentration and signaling.
    • To explore the role of dual glutamate regulation in synaptic function and plasticity.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of presynaptic glutamate transport.
    • Investigation of exocytosis and transporter-mediated glutamate turnover.
    • Examination of intracellular glutamate sources for release.

    More Related Videos

    Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
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    Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

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

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    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026

    Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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    Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

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    Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
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    Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
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    Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

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    Main Results:

    • Two distinct presynaptic mechanisms regulate extracellular glutamate: regulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles and continuous transporter-mediated turnover.
    • Exocytosis and transporter turnover are independent, utilizing different intracellular glutamate pools (vesicles vs. cytoplasm).
    • This dual regulation establishes a flexible extracellular glutamate level, unique to each synapse.

    Conclusions:

    • The dual mechanism of glutamate release (exocytosis and transporter turnover) provides a presynaptic basis for memory consolidation, neural circuit maintenance, long-term potentiation, and synaptic plasticity.
    • These mechanisms offer distinct pathways for modulating synaptic strength and information processing.