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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

130.3K
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.
130.3K
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

6.1K
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...
6.1K
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

77.8K
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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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

10.5K
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...
10.5K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

3.7K
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...
3.7K
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

3.1K
Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
08:38

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

Published on: May 25, 2011

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Dissecting neurotransmission with artificial synapses.

Ben Short

    The Journal of General Physiology
    |April 13, 2021
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study shows how combining neuron and HEK cell recordings clarifies synaptic transmission factors. These coculture methods offer a better view of neural communication mechanisms.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Synaptic transmission is crucial for neural communication.
    • Understanding the factors influencing synaptic transmission is complex.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate synaptic transmission using a novel coculture system.
    • To elucidate the roles of specific factors in synaptic function.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilizing neuron-HEK (Human Embryonic Kidney) cell cocultures.
    • Recording electrophysiological data from the cocultures.

    Main Results:

    • Coculture recordings provided a clearer picture of synaptic transmission.
    • Identified key factors influencing the process.

    More Related Videos

    Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
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    Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies

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    Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex
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    Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex

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    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Nov 9, 2025

    Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
    08:38

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

    Published on: May 25, 2011

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    Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
    10:08

    Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies

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    Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex
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    Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex

    Published on: February 25, 2022

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    Conclusions:

    • Neuron-HEK cell cocultures are a valuable tool for studying synaptic transmission.
    • This approach enhances understanding of neural communication.