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10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses

Subjects: Neurosciences
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Contributor:
Neuroscientifically Challenged

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Update Date: 17 Nov 2023

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synapse
presynaptic neuron
postsynaptic neuron
synaptic cleft
synaptic vesicles

Video Introduction

This video is adapted from: https://youtu.be/k5RafiYXieo?si=uFMiVP_E5pqPntXV

In this video, I cover the different components of a synapse, including the presynaptic neuron, postsynaptic neuron, synaptic cleft, and synaptic vesicles. I discuss how signals are propagated at chemical synapses through the use of neurotransmitters, as well as how neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft by enzymes and/or reuptake. I also cover the components and function of electrical synapses. ^[1]^[2]

Key points:

00:00 General introduction to synapses

1:23 Different components of a chemical synapse

4:28 Termination of synaptic transmission (e.g., enzymes, reuptake)

6:55 Electrical synapses

References

Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, Hall WC, Lamantia AS, Mooney RD, Platt ML, White LE, eds. 2018. Neuroscience. 6th ed. New York. Sinauer Associates.
Siegelbaum ST, Fischbach GD. 2021. Overview of Synaptic Transmission. In: Kandel ER, Koester JD, Mack SH, Siegelbaum SA, eds. Principles of Neural Science, 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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Name: 10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses
Uploaded: 2023-11-17T04:03:51+01:00
Description: In this video, I cover the different components of a synapse, including the presynaptic neuron, postsynaptic neuron, synaptic cleft, and synaptic vesicles

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Challenged, N. 10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/video/video_detail/966 (accessed on 05 December 2025).

Challenged N. 10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/video/video_detail/966. Accessed December 05, 2025.

Challenged, Neuroscientifically. "10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/video/video_detail/966 (accessed December 05, 2025).

Challenged, N. (2023, November 17). 10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/video/video_detail/966

Challenged, Neuroscientifically. "10-Minute Neuroscience: Synapses." Encyclopedia. Web. 17 November, 2023.