synapse
Nerve cell junction
A synapse is the junction between two nerve cells where signals pass from one to the other.
The transmitting neuron releases chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) across a tiny gap, triggering electrical activity in the receiving neuron.
Synapses are fundamental to how the brain processes information, forms memories, and learns.
The verb synapse means to form such a connection: neurons synapsing during learning.
Synaptic chemical messenger
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
GABA · norepinephrine · receptor · ion · calcium · channel · release · uptake
Impulse-conducting cell
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- somaBodily cells, excluding gametes
- gliaNon-neuronal brain cells
astrocyte · microglia · myelin · gap · cleft · terminal · bouton · spine
Narrow vertical split
- gapUnfilled space between
- connectionA joining or relation
- terminalAt the endpoint
- boutonSynaptic nerve ending
junction · contact · interface · bridge · link · coupling · convergence · node
A joining or relation
- linkPoint of connection
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- clickBrief sharp noise
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
gap · network · wiring · circuitry · transmission · signal · communication · interface
Mind's retention capacity
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
- plasticityAbility to change shape
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
encoding · recall · association · conditioning · habituation · potentiation · strengthening · adaptation
neurotransmitter
Synaptic chemical messenger
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
glutamate · GABA · norepinephrine · receptor · ion · calcium · channel · release · uptake · reuptake
neuron
Impulse-conducting cell
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- somaBodily cells, excluding gametes
glia · astrocyte · microglia · myelin · gap · cleft · terminal · bouton · spine · arbor
cleft
Narrow vertical split
- gapUnfilled space between
- connectionA joining or relation
- terminalAt the endpoint
bouton · junction · contact · interface · bridge · link · coupling · convergence · node · network
connection
A joining or relation
bridge · gap · network · wiring · circuitry · transmission · signal · communication · interface · pathway
memory
Mind's retention capacity
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
- plasticityAbility to change shape
consolidation · encoding · recall · association · conditioning · habituation · potentiation · strengthening · adaptation · processing
- cerveauneurone, cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, meninges
- biologycells, DNA, cell, biology, gene
- body partsarm, leg, hand, back, chest
- connectionslink, links, connect, connection, tie
- braincerebrum, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus
- junctionsjunction, intersection, crossroads, node, nexus
synapseaxon
Neuron's signal-sending projection
dendrite · soma · cell body · nerve fiber · myelin sheath