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Action Potentials

Electrical signals that occur between neurons, leading to communication via neurotransmitters.

Presynaptic Membrane

The membrane of a terminal button on the presynaptic neuron that releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Synaptic Vesicle

A small, bead-like structure that contains neurotransmitter molecules.

Synaptic Cleft

The space between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Postsynaptic Membrane

The cell membrane opposite the presynaptic neuron's terminal buttons that receives neurotransmitters.

VAMPS

Proteins like vSNARE (neurexin) and tSNARE (syntaxin) that facilitate the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles.

Merge and Recycle

A process where the vesicle merges with the membrane and then buds off as endosomes.

Kiss and Leave

A process where the vesicle docks at the membrane and then leaves.

Kiss and Stay

A process where the vesicle docks and remains at the membrane.

Neurotransmitter Signaling

The process by which neurotransmitters transmit signals across the synaptic cleft to the postsynaptic membrane.

Diffusion

A method of stopping neurotransmitter signaling where neurotransmitters diffuse out after release.

Internalization

The process where receptors are pulled into the postsynaptic membrane for reuse after activation.

Reuptake

The process of neurotransmitters being taken back into the presynaptic membrane for recycling.

Glial Cells

Support cells, such as astrocytes and phagocytes, that assist in the reuptake of neurotransmitters.

Enzymatic Degradation

The breakdown of released neurotransmitters into subunits for recycling, which is the fastest but least efficient method of stopping signaling.

Signals can pass between neurons in a variety of ways

1. Convergence: one neuron getting information from many

2. Divergence: one neuron giving information to many