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The Synapse

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.

Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble

Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble

The shape of a small drop of liquid can be considered spherical, neglecting the effect of gravity. This drop can further be considered as two equal hemispherical drops put together due to surface tension. The forces acting on the spherical drop are due to the pressure of the liquid inside the drop, the pressure due to air outside the drop, and the force due to the surface tension acting on the two hemispherical drops.

Electrical Synapses

Electrical Synapses

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...

Chemical Synapses

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 Synapses

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...

Overview of Synapses

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: Feb 4, 2026

Cell-based Assay to Study Antibody-mediated Tau Clearance by Microglia

Cell-based Assay to Study Antibody-mediated Tau Clearance by Microglia

Published on: November 9, 2018

CD47 Protects Synapses from Excess Microglia-Mediated Pruning during Development.

Emily K Lehrman¹, Daniel K Wilton¹, Elizabeth Y Litvina¹

¹Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

|October 12, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

CD47-SIRPα signaling acts as a brake on microglia, preventing inappropriate synapse removal during brain development. This innate immune pathway protects synapses from excessive engulfment by microglia.

Keywords:

CD47 SIRPα activity don’t eat me microglia phagocytosis protective signal pruning refinement retinogeniculate system

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Last Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Cell-based Assay to Study Antibody-mediated Tau Clearance by Microglia

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Published on: November 9, 2018

Derivation of a Human Brain Organoid with Microglia Development

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Published on: January 17, 2025

Mitigation of Blood Borne Cell Attachment to Metal Implants through CD47-Derived Peptide Immobilization

Mitigation of Blood Borne Cell Attachment to Metal Implants through CD47-Derived Peptide Immobilization

Published on: December 3, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Microglia are crucial for synaptic remodeling and phagocytosis in the healthy brain.
Mechanisms governing selective synapse engulfment by microglia are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of innate immune signaling in regulating microglial synapse pruning.
To identify molecular mechanisms that prevent inappropriate microglial phagocytosis of synapses.

Main Methods:

Analysis of CD47 and SIRPα expression patterns during retinogeniculate system development.
Utilized CD47-deficient mice to assess microglial engulfment and synapse numbers.
Electrophysiological recordings to measure functional synaptic pruning.
Investigated activity-dependent engulfment in CD47 knockout mice.

Main Results:

CD47 and SIRPα expression correlated with peak synaptic pruning.
Mice lacking CD47 showed increased microglial engulfment and reduced synapse numbers.
CD47 deficiency led to enhanced functional pruning and impaired activity-dependent engulfment.

Conclusions:

CD47-SIRPα signaling acts as a critical brake, preventing excessive microglial phagocytosis of synapses.
This pathway is essential for protecting specific neuronal inputs from inappropriate removal.
Activity-dependent regulation of synaptic pruning is mediated by CD47 signaling.