What is a synapse?

What is a synapse?

• A. A connection between two nerve cells. They are formed throughout the brain throughout life.
• B. The insulating layer around a neuron.
• C. The cell body of a neuron.
• D. A neurotransmitter.

Answer: (A)

A synapse is the junction where communication happens between two neurons. It’s the site where a signal passes from the sending neuron to the receiving neuron, typically across a tiny gap. When the presynaptic neuron fires, it releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft; these chemicals cross the gap and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, producing either an excitatory or inhibitory effect that propagates the signal. Synapses can form and change throughout life, which underlies learning and neural plasticity. This distinguishes a synapse from the insulating myelin layer around a neuron, the neuron's cell body, or a neurotransmitter itself, which is the chemical messenger released at the synapse rather than the junction itself.

A synapse is the junction where communication happens between two neurons. It’s the site where a signal passes from the sending neuron to the receiving neuron, typically across a tiny gap. When the presynaptic neuron fires, it releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft; these chemicals cross the gap and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, producing either an excitatory or inhibitory effect that propagates the signal. Synapses can form and change throughout life, which underlies learning and neural plasticity. This distinguishes a synapse from the insulating myelin layer around a neuron, the neuron's cell body, or a neurotransmitter itself, which is the chemical messenger released at the synapse rather than the junction itself.