What are three ways neurotransmitters are removed?

Answer 1

There are actually 4 ways neurotransmitters can be terminated.

1. The neurotransmitter is taken back into the presynaptic neuron to be repackaged into vesicles.

2. The neurotransmitter diffuses out of the synapse.

3. The neurotransmitter is broken down by enzymes and the parts are recycled

4. The neurotransmitter is "mopped up" by glial cells and recycled.

This all came directly from the slideshow my lecturer used, which she shared with us via Google Classroom.

Answer 2

3 ways neurotransmitters can be removed:

1. Reuptake- reabsorption of the neurotransmitter into the neuron.

2. Enzymatic degradation- destruction of the neurotransmitter with special chemicals called enzymes.

3. Diffusion- The neurotransmitter becoming detached from the receptor and drifting out of the synaptic cleft.