Neuroscience basics: Synaptic transmission - Chemical synapse, Animation
Alila Medical Media・3 minutes read
Neurons use neurotransmitters to communicate, creating electrical impulses called action potentials when stimulated, transmitting signals between neurons through synapses and different neurotransmitter classes.
Insights
- Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft, binding to receptors on neighboring neurons to transmit information from the pre-synaptic to post-synaptic neuron, influencing the postsynaptic cell through various mechanisms.
- Different classes of neurotransmitters, like amino acids, neuropeptides, monoamines, and acetylcholine, are synthesized, stored, and released by neurons, impacting the communication between neurons and contributing to the complex network of signaling in the brain.
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Recent questions
How do neurons communicate?
Neurons communicate through chemical messages called neurotransmitters. When a neuron is stimulated, an electrical impulse known as an action potential is generated, traveling down the axon to the nerve terminal where it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
What happens when neurotransmitters bind to receptors?
Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on neighboring neurons, transmitting information from the pre-synaptic neuron that releases the neurotransmitter to the post-synaptic neuron that receives the signal. This binding forms different types of synapses based on where the axon connects.
What are the classes of neurotransmitters?
Various classes of neurotransmitters exist, including amino acids like glycine and GABA, neuropeptides such as beta-endorphin, monoamines like dopamine and serotonin, and acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters are synthesized in the presynaptic neuron, stored in synaptic vesicles, and released through exocytosis upon calcium influx.
How are neurotransmitters released?
Neurotransmitters are released through exocytosis upon calcium influx. When an action potential reaches the nerve terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters stored in synaptic vesicles, allowing them to be released into the synaptic cleft and affect the postsynaptic cell.
What is the role of neurotransmitters in neurons?
Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in transmitting information between neurons. They affect the postsynaptic cell through different mechanisms, influencing various functions in the brain and body. By binding to receptors on neighboring neurons, neurotransmitters help regulate processes such as mood, memory, and muscle movement.
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Summary
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Neurons, Neurotransmitters, and Synaptic Communication
- Neurons communicate through chemical messages called neurotransmitters, with an electrical impulse known as an action potential being generated when a neuron is stimulated, traveling down the axon to the nerve terminal where it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
- Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on neighboring neurons, transmitting information from the pre-synaptic neuron that releases the neurotransmitter to the post-synaptic neuron that receives the signal, forming different types of synapses based on where the axon connects.
- Various classes of neurotransmitters exist, including amino acids like glycine and GABA, neuropeptides such as beta-endorphin, monoamines like dopamine and serotonin, and acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters are synthesized in the presynaptic neuron, stored in synaptic vesicles, and released through exocytosis upon calcium influx, affecting the postsynaptic cell through different mechanisms.
