Synaptosome

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Synaptosome is a specialized part of the neuron that is involved in the process of neurotransmission. It is a type of vesicle that contains neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to another.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The synaptosome is composed of a presynaptic terminal, a postsynaptic terminal, and a synaptic cleft. The presynaptic terminal contains the neurotransmitters, while the postsynaptic terminal contains receptors for these neurotransmitters. The synaptic cleft is the space between the two terminals.

Function[edit | edit source]

The main function of the synaptosome is to facilitate neurotransmission. When an electrical signal reaches the presynaptic terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic terminal, triggering a response in the second neuron.

Research[edit | edit source]

Synaptosomes are often used in research to study neurotransmission. They can be isolated from brain tissue and used in experiments to investigate the effects of various drugs and diseases on neurotransmission.

See also[edit | edit source]


Synaptosome Resources

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD