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Dictionary » S » Synapse

Synapse

Definition

noun, plural: synapses

A specialized structure or junction that allows cell to cell communication.

verb

(1) To form a synapse.

(2) To undergo synapsis.


Supplement

A biological synapse involving neurons can be:

(1) Chemical synapse : the junction between neurons such that the nerve impulse is transmitted from a neuron to another neuron or to a muscle cell or gland cell.

(2) Electrical synapse : the gap junction between two apposed neurons that allows faster nerve transmission.

Recently, a biological synapse not involving a neuron is found to exist. The junction between a lymphocyte and an antigen-presenting cell is referred to as immunological synapse.


Word origin: from "synaptein", which Sir Charles Scott Sherrington and colleagues coined from the Greek "syn-" ("together") and "haptein" ("to clasp").
Related forms: synaptic (adjective).

Related terms:


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Re: why does stretching feel good?

... spindles, this influx of cations will allow the propioceptive neurons to reach action potential firing threshold and fire away, this signals will synapse at the spinal cord, where it later must reach higher cortical areas and synapse with neurons that carry one of the many feel-good neurotransmitters ...

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by droog
Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:14 am
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: why does stretching feel good?
Replies: 17
Views: 20158

GI tract and enteric nervous system

... system?? that then works with the other part of autonomic (parasymp. and symp.)system in the spine and the brain Or where would all those fibres synapse? what does synapse really mean, is it that the enteric nervous system then receives the message at that point? :) thanks

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by snezka18
Sun May 08, 2011 8:02 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: GI tract and enteric nervous system
Replies: 0
Views: 405

Re: Brain function

... about by the passage of the nerve impulses from a sensory ending to the effector organ along divisions of the nerve fibre without traversing a synapse, Example,the vasodilation is resulting from the irritation of the conjunctiva; the reaction occurs even when the nerve fibre has been sectioned ...

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by beautiful
Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:09 am
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: Brain function
Replies: 1
Views: 974

human physiology qu please help

do you know how a synapse works?

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by MrMistery
Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:20 am
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: human physiology qu please help
Replies: 3
Views: 1469

Neuroscience problem

... mV and the other with reversal potential of -58 mV. Draw the predicted postsynaptic response (change in membrane potential) to stimulation of each synapse alone, and then to simultaneous stimulation of both synapses. Briefly explain what’s going on and why the results might at first be confusing. ...

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by inquilinekea
Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:06 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Neuroscience problem
Replies: 1
Views: 491
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