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Neurotransmitters are released in response to stimulation. They alter the physiology of the postsynaptic cell. They are synthesized by a presynaptic neuron. They bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic cell.
Presynaptic neurons release the neurotransmitter in response to an action potential. Postsynaptic neurons receive the neurotransmitter (and can however become presynaptic to the next nerve cell, if the neurotransmitter has stimulated the cell enough).
After neurotransmitters are released in to the synaptic cleft - from the presynaptic neuron, they bind with there specific receptor cites found on the postsynaptic neurons cell membrane. Some neurotransmitters then become inactive by enzymes whiles other simply drift away from the synaptic cleft. Reuptake can also occur where the presynaptic neuron sponges up (or takes back) the remaining neurotransmitters left behind.
spatial summation
Neurons have specialized projections called dendrites and axons. Dendrites bring information to the cell body and axons take information away from the cell body. Information from one neuron flows to another neuron across a synapse. The synapse contains a small gap separating neurons. The synapse consists of: 1. a presynaptic ending that contains neurotransmitters, mitochondria and other cell organelles, 2. a postsynaptic ending that contains receptor sites for neurotransmitters and, 3. a synaptic cleft or space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic endings.
Diverging Circuit
A neurotransmitter is a chemical or peptide in synapses, usually between neurons, a neuron and muscle or a neuron and other organ. The neurotransmitter transmits information to and from and within the brain. When a neurotransmitter is released from the presynaptic cell in response to depolarization of the cell by an action potential, it diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds a receptor or ligand-gated ion channel on the postsynaptic cell. Binding on the postsynaptic cell alters the resting potential of the postsynaptic cell in either an inhibitory or excitatory manner, making the cell less susceptible or more susceptible (respectively) to an action potential. Examples include, but are not limited to, acetylcholine, GABA, noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine.
is a molecule inside a cell
The synaptic transmission is where the communication between the terminal button and the dendrite occur. What happens is the impulse moves along the axon and release neurotransmitter from the end plate of the presynaptic neuron and are diffused across the synaptic cleft. This creates a depolarization of the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron. When that happens the postsynaptic's sodium channels to open and start the action potential. Once the channels are open an enzyme called cholinesterase is released from postsynaptic membrane and it acts to destroy the neurotransmitters. When they are destroyed the sodium channels close and begins recovery.
Neurotransmitters released by 1 nerve cell are received by another neuron. The receptor of a postsynaptic neuron receives the neurotransmitters.
receptor proteins bind to signal molecules
An autoreceptor is a receptor which is situated in the terminal of a presynaptic nerve cell, sensitive to neurotransmitters released by the neuron in whose membrane the autoreceptor sits.