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.

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: McGrawHill.