synaptic vesicles

synaptic vesicles
small membrane-bound structures behind a presynaptic membrane, containing neurotransmitters; when depolarization occurs they fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.

Diagram of synaptic vesicles in a synapse.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Synaptic vesicle — Neuron A (transmitting) to neuron B (receiving) 1. Mitochondria 2. synaptic vesicle with neurotransmitters 3. Autoreceptor 4. Synapse with neurotransmitter released (serotonin) 5. Postsynaptic receptors activated by neurotransmitter (induction of …   Wikipedia

  • Synaptic augmentation — Augmentation is one of four components of short term synaptic plasticity that increases the probability of releasing synaptic vesicles during and after repetitive stimulation such that :A(t) = [{ m Transmitter Release}(t)/ { m Transmitter… …   Wikipedia

  • synaptic ribbon — 1. in the eye, a dense lamella surrounded by a halo of synaptic vesicles, found at a right angle to the apex of the synaptic ridge in the outer plexiform layer of the retina. 2. in the internal ear, a structure similar to that found in the eye,… …   Medical dictionary

  • agranular vesicles — Synaptic vesicles that do not have a granular appearance in EM; 40 50nm in diameter, with membrane only 4 5nm thick. Characteristic of peripheral cholinergic synapses; (see also neurotransmitter). Some are located very close to presynaptic… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • synaptic vesicle — Intracellular vesicles found in the presynaptic terminals of chemical synapses, which contain neurotransmitter …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • Ribbon synapse — Latin synapsis fasciolaris Code TH H2.00.06.2.00024 Ribbon synapse is a type of synapse linking some particular neuronal cells, which have unique features, such as their morphology, mechanisms of multivesicular release and calcium channel positio …   Wikipedia

  • Chemical synapse — This article is about chemical synapses of the nervous system. For other uses, see Synapse (disambiguation). Illustration of the major elements in chemical synaptic transmission. An electrochemical wave called an action potential travels along… …   Wikipedia

  • End-plate potential — Miniature end plate potentials and end plate spikes recorded from muscle fiber End plate potentials (EPPs) (sometimes called end plate spikes ) are the depolarizations of skeletal muscle fibers caused by neurotransmitters binding to the… …   Wikipedia

  • nervous system — Anat., Zool. 1. the system of nerves and nerve centers in an animal or human, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia. 2. a particular part of this system. Cf. autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous… …   Universalium

  • Synaptogenesis — is the formation of synapses. Although it occurs throughout a healthy person s lifespan, an explosion of synapse formation occurs during early brain development. Synaptogenesis is particularly important during an individual s critical period of… …   Wikipedia

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