SYNAPTOSOME Meaning and
Definition
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Synaptosomes are subcellular particles that are commonly isolated from brain tissue and are crucial in understanding the functioning of the central nervous system. These structures are small, membrane-bound fragments derived from nerve terminals, containing all the basic components required for synaptic transmission.
Synaptosomes are characterized by their ability to maintain the functional and morphological integrity of synapses. They possess a variety of synaptic vesicles, including both clear vesicles and dense core vesicles, which play a crucial role in the release and storage of neurotransmitters. Additionally, synaptosomes encapsulate important proteins such as synaptic membrane proteins, synaptic vesicle proteins, and active zone proteins, indicating their significance in synaptic function and morphology.
Isolation of synaptosomes is typically achieved through a process called differential centrifugation, where brain tissue is homogenized and subjected to sequential centrifugal steps to separate different cellular components. The resulting synaptosomal fraction can then be used for various biochemical, molecular, and electrophysiological experiments to study synaptic activity, neurotransmission, and elucidate the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity.
Due to their highly enriched synaptic content, synaptosomes serve as an essential tool for studying synaptic physiology, pharmacology, and the effects of various drugs on neurotransmission. They have proven invaluable in advancing our understanding of synaptic function and various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia.
Common Misspellings for SYNAPTOSOME
- aynaptosome
- zynaptosome
- xynaptosome
- dynaptosome
- eynaptosome
- wynaptosome
- stnaptosome
- sgnaptosome
- shnaptosome
- sunaptosome
- s7naptosome
- s6naptosome
- sybaptosome
- symaptosome
- syjaptosome
- syhaptosome
- synzptosome
- synsptosome
- synwptosome
- synqptosome
Etymology of SYNAPTOSOME
The word "synaptosome" is derived from two main components: "synapto" and "soma".
1. "Synapto": This component comes from the Greek word "synaptos", meaning "grown together" or "joined". It refers to the synapse, which is the junction between two nerve cells, where signals are transmitted. This term was coined by the British physiologist Charles Sherrington in 1897.
2. "Soma": This component comes from the Greek word "soma", meaning "body". In neuroscience, it refers to the cell body or the main part of a nerve cell (neuron) that contains the nucleus and other organelles.
When combined, the term "synaptosome" refers to a subcellular structure or fraction obtained from nerve tissue that contains synapses and synaptic vesicles.
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