SYNAPSES Meaning and
Definition
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Synapses are the junctions where nerve cells (neurons) connect and communicate with each other in the nervous system. They are the fundamental units of communication in the brain and play a crucial role in transmitting and processing information.
At a synapse, the sending end of a neuron, known as the presynaptic terminal, releases chemical substances called neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, a tiny gap between the presynaptic and the receiving neuron, called the postsynaptic terminal. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic terminal, initiating a series of biochemical events. This process allows the electrical signals, or action potentials, that travel along the presynaptic neuron to be converted into chemical signals that can be detected and understood by the postsynaptic neuron.
Through this chemical transmission, synapses enable neurons to send and receive information, facilitating the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system. They function as the site of integration and processing of information, as they can modify the strength or efficiency of signal transmission, termed synaptic plasticity. Synapses also play a role in the formation and maintenance of neural circuits, which are responsible for various cognitive processes, including learning and memory.
Understanding the mechanisms and functions of synapses is crucial to comprehend the complex workings of the brain and its role in cognitive, emotional, and physiological processes. Studying synapses has significant implications for fields such as neuroscience, neurobiology, and psychology.
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Etymology of SYNAPSES
The word "synapses" comes from the Greek word "synapsis", which means "junction". It is derived from the verb "synaptein", which means "to fasten together". The term was coined by the British anatomist and histologist Sir Charles Sherrington in 1897 to describe the microscopic gaps between nerve cells where communication occurs.
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