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Related Concept Videos

Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

11.6K
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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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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Synaptic Signaling01:12

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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.
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Simultaneous Intracellular Recording of a Lumbar Motoneuron and the Force Produced by its Motor Unit in the Adult Mouse In vivo
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The Variable Strength of Electrical Synapses.

Alberto E Pereda1

  • 1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.

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|June 3, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The number of gap junctions is the primary factor determining the strength of electrical synapses between cerebellar interneurons. This finding contrasts with chemical synapses, where determinants are better understood.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Synaptic Transmission

Background:

  • Electrical synapses, unlike chemical synapses, transmit signals directly via gap junctions.
  • The factors influencing the strength of electrical coupling are not well understood.
  • Cerebellar interneurons utilize electrical synapses for rapid communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the key determinants of electrical synapse strength.
  • To elucidate the role of gap junctions in electrical coupling between cerebellar interneurons.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized electrophysiological recordings in cerebellar slices.
  • Quantified the number of gap junctions using electron microscopy.
  • Correlated electrical coupling strength with gap junction number.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated a strong positive correlation between the number of gap junctions and the strength of electrical coupling.
  • Identified the number of gap junctions as the dominant factor influencing electrical synapse strength in this context.

Conclusions:

  • The number of gap junctions is the principal determinant of electrical coupling strength in cerebellar interneurons.
  • This finding provides crucial insights into the mechanisms governing electrical synaptic transmission.