Definitions
This is the term for chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse to another neuron, muscle, or gland.
What is a neurotransmitter?
This ion plays a critical role in neurotransmitter relese by entering the neuron and triggering vesicle release.
What is calcium?
These specialized cells transmit electrical signals throughout the nervous system, using neurotransmitters to communicate.
This neurotransmitter known as the "feel-good" hormone, is linked to the feeling of pleasure
What is dopamine?
What is a synaptic gap?
Neurotransmitters communicate signals by binding to these proteins, which triggers an intracellular response.
What is a receptor?
This type of neuron transmits signals from the central nervous system to muscles or glands.
What is the motor neuron?
This neurotransmitter, involved in muscle contraction and memory, is the primary neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions.
What is acetylcholine?
These are the specialized sites on a neuron where neurotransmitters bind to trigger a response, often found on the postsynaptic neuron.
What are receptor sites?
Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft when this signal reaches the axon terminal.
What is an action potential?
This long, cable-like structure of the neuron transmits electrical signals away from the cell body.
What are axons?
This inhibitory neurotransmitter is known for its calming effects on the brain and is often targeted by anti-anxiety medications.
What is GABA?
When neurotransmitters reduce the chance of a neuron firing its action potential, this is called the process of making the neuron less likely to fire.
What is inhibition?
To stop communication, neurotransmitters can be broken down by enzymes or taken back into the presynaptic neuron through this process.
What is reuptake?
This structure at the end of the axon stores neurotransmitters in vesicles for release into the synapse.
This neurotransmitter, derived from tryptophan, helps regulate sleep-wake cycles.
What is serotonin?
When neurotransmitters promote the firing of a neuron’s action potential, this is called the process of making the neuron more likely to fire.
What is excitation?
This process describes the release of neurotransmitters from vesicles into the synaptic cleft.
What is exocytosis?
This part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons and relays them to the cell body.
What is a dendrite?
An imbalance of this neurotransmitter is associated with disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
What is dopamine?