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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.

Organization of the Brain

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration

Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration

Introduction to Inspiration: The Respiratory System in Action
The respiratory system, an essential network for breathing, comprises the conducting and respiratory zones, each playing a crucial role in the overall process of respiration. Let us explore the detailed mechanism of inspiration, or inhalation, which is the first phase of the respiratory cycle.
Pathway of Air during Inspiration
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Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy: Organic Radicals

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy: Organic Radicals

Ideally, an unpaired electron shows a single peak in the EPR spectrum due to the transition between the two spin energy states. However, coupling interactions can occur between the spins of the unpaired electron and any neighboring spin-active nuclei. This hyperfine coupling results in hyperfine splitting, where the EPR signal is split into multiplets. The signals split into 2nI + 1 peaks, where n is the number of equivalent nuclei and I is the nuclear spin. These splitting patterns provide...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

Organic Synapses for Neuromorphic Electronics: From Brain-Inspired Computing to Sensorimotor Nervetronics.

Yeongjun Lee, Tae-Woo Lee

Accounts of Chemical Research

|March 22, 2019

Summary

Researchers are developing organic synapses to create bioinspired electronics. These artificial synapses mimic brain plasticity for advanced neuromorphic systems in robots and medical devices.

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Last Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

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Published on: October 6, 2017

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

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Published on: November 16, 2010

A Simple and Scalable Fabrication Method for Organic Electronic Devices on Textiles

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Published on: March 13, 2017

Area of Science:

Biomimetic Technology
Bioinspired Electronics
Neuromorphic Systems

Background:

Living organisms possess evolutionary adaptations for survival.
Biomimetic technology aims to emulate biological traits.
Bioinspired electronics seek to replicate biological sensory and motor systems for applications like humanoid robots and exoskeletons.

Purpose of the Study:

To review research trends in neuromorphic systems based on organic synapses.
To suggest future research directions in this field.
To explore the potential of organic synapses in creating body-electronic device integration.

Main Methods:

Investigating device structures and working mechanisms of organic synapses.
Emulating brain plasticity to demonstrate learning and memory functions.
Examining sensory and sensorimotor nervetronics mimicking biological nervous systems.

Main Results:

Organic synapses offer simpler structures, lower costs, and reduced energy consumption compared to silicon circuits.
Demonstrated learning and memory functions through emulated brain plasticity.
Developed sensory and motor nervetronics for augmenting biological functions and controlling robotic systems.

Conclusions:

Organic synapses are promising components for future neuromorphic systems.
These systems can be integrated with living bodies at the neuronal level.
Potential applications include neural prosthetics, exoskeletons, soft robots, and cybernetic devices.