The vesicular release of classical neurotransmitter molecules from a presynapse, across a chemical synapse, the subsequent activation of neurotransmitter receptors at the postsynapse of a target cell (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) and the effects of this activation on the postsynaptic membrane potential and ionic composition of the postsynaptic cytosol. This process encompasses both spontaneous and evoked release of neurotransmitter and all parts of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Evoked transmission starts with the arrival of an action potential at the presynapse.

The directed movement of neurotransmitters into neurons or glial cells. This process leads to inactivation and recycling of neurotransmitters.

The directed movement of a neurotransmitter into, out of or within a cell, or between cells, by means of some agent such as a transporter or pore. Neurotransmitters are any chemical substance that is capable of transmitting (or inhibiting the transmission of) a nerve impulse from a neuron to another cell.

Any process involved in the maintenance of an internal steady state of calcium ions at the level of a cell.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of the regulated release of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of the regulated release of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

A process that converts synaptic vesicles to a state of competence for calcium triggered fusion with the active zone membrane by bringing the two membranes into very close proximity. Priming typically (but not always) occurs after docking (Jahn and Fasshauer, 2012). Primed vesicles are also capable of spontaneously fusing with the active zone membrane.

A process that converts synaptic vesicles to a state of competence for calcium triggered fusion with the active zone membrane by bringing the two membranes into very close proximity. Priming typically (but not always) occurs after docking (Jahn and Fasshauer, 2012). Primed vesicles are also capable of spontaneously fusing with the active zone membrane.

A secretory organelle, typically 50 nm in diameter, of presynaptic nerve terminals; accumulates in high concentrations of neurotransmitters and secretes these into the synaptic cleft by fusion with the 'active zone' of the presynaptic plasma membrane.

The membrane surrounding a cell that separates the cell from its external environment. It consists of a phospholipid bilayer and associated proteins.

A secretory organelle, typically 50 nm in diameter, of presynaptic nerve terminals; accumulates in high concentrations of neurotransmitters and secretes these into the synaptic cleft by fusion with the 'active zone' of the presynaptic plasma membrane.

The lipid bilayer surrounding a synaptic vesicle.

The irregular network of unit membranes, visible only by electron microscopy, that occurs in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells. The membranes form a complex meshwork of tubular channels, which are often expanded into slitlike cavities called cisternae. The ER takes two forms, rough (or granular), with ribosomes adhering to the outer surface, and smooth (with no ribosomes attached).

A secretory organelle, typically 50 nm in diameter, of presynaptic nerve terminals; accumulates in high concentrations of neurotransmitters and secretes these into the synaptic cleft by fusion with the 'active zone' of the presynaptic plasma membrane.

The component of the synaptic vesicle membrane consisting of the gene products and protein complexes having at least some part of their peptide sequence embedded in the hydrophobic region of the membrane.

The component of the synaptic vesicle membrane consisting of the gene products and protein complexes having at least some part of their peptide sequence embedded in the hydrophobic region of the membrane.

The component of the synaptic vesicle membrane consisting of the gene products and protein complexes having at least some part of their peptide sequence embedded in the hydrophobic region of the membrane.

Terminal inflated portion of the axon, containing the specialized apparatus necessary to release neurotransmitters. The axon terminus is considered to be the whole region of thickening and the terminal bouton is a specialized region of it.

A specialized region of the plasma membrane and cell cortex of a presynaptic neuron; encompasses a region of the plasma membrane where synaptic vesicles dock and fuse, and a specialized cortical cytoskeletal matrix.

The irregular network of unit membranes, visible only by electron microscopy, that occurs in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells. The membranes form a complex meshwork of tubular channels, which are often expanded into slitlike cavities called cisternae. The ER takes two forms, rough (or granular), with ribosomes adhering to the outer surface, and smooth (with no ribosomes attached).

A cell junction that forms a connection between two or more cells in a multicellular organism; excludes direct cytoplasmic junctions such as ring canals.

A secretory organelle, typically 50 nm in diameter, of presynaptic nerve terminals; accumulates in high concentrations of neurotransmitters and secretes these into the synaptic cleft by fusion with the 'active zone' of the presynaptic plasma membrane.

A lipid bilayer along with all the proteins and protein complexes embedded in it an attached to it.

A lipid bilayer along with all the proteins and protein complexes embedded in it an attached to it.

A lipid bilayer along with all the proteins and protein complexes embedded in it an attached to it.

The component of a membrane consisting of the gene products and protein complexes having at least some part of their peptide sequence embedded in the hydrophobic region of the membrane.

The component of a membrane consisting of the gene products and protein complexes having at least some part of their peptide sequence embedded in the hydrophobic region of the membrane.

A neuron projection that has a short, tapering, morphology. Dendrites receive and integrate signals from other neurons or from sensory stimuli, and conduct nerve impulses towards the axon or the cell body. In most neurons, the impulse is conveyed from dendrites to axon via the cell body, but in some types of unipolar neuron, the impulse does not travel via the cell body.

A neuron projection that has a short, tapering, morphology. Dendrites receive and integrate signals from other neurons or from sensory stimuli, and conduct nerve impulses towards the axon or the cell body. In most neurons, the impulse is conveyed from dendrites to axon via the cell body, but in some types of unipolar neuron, the impulse does not travel via the cell body.

The lipid bilayer surrounding a synaptic vesicle.

The lipid bilayer surrounding a synaptic vesicle.

The junction between the axon of a motor neuron and a muscle fiber. In response to the arrival of action potentials, the presynaptic button releases molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane of the muscle fiber, leading to a change in post-synaptic potential.

A prolongation or process extending from a nerve cell, e.g. an axon or dendrite.

The portion of a neuron that includes the nucleus, but excludes cell projections such as axons and dendrites.

The portion of a neuron that includes the nucleus, but excludes cell projections such as axons and dendrites.

The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron, muscle fiber or glial cell. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane.

The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron, muscle fiber or glial cell. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane.

A specialized region of the plasma membrane and cell cortex of a presynaptic neuron; encompasses a region of the plasma membrane where synaptic vesicles dock and fuse, and a specialized cortical cytoskeletal matrix.

A synapse that uses glutamate as a neurotransmitter.

A synapse that uses glutamate as a neurotransmitter.

A synapse that uses GABA as a neurotransmitter. These synapses are typically inhibitory.

A synapse that uses GABA as a neurotransmitter. These synapses are typically inhibitory.