The regulated release of neurotransmitter from the presynapse into the synaptic cleft via calcium-regulated exocytosis during synaptic transmission.

The process of synaptic transmission from a neuron to a muscle, across a synapse.

Fusion of intracellular membrane-bounded vesicles with the pre-synaptic membrane of the neuronal cell resulting in release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.

A cellular transport process in which transported substances are moved in membrane-bounded vesicles; transported substances are enclosed in the vesicle lumen or located in the vesicle membrane. The process begins with a step that directs a substance to the forming vesicle, and includes vesicle budding and coating. Vesicles are then targeted to, and fuse with, an acceptor membrane.

A process that modulates synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to change as circumstances require. They may alter function, such as increasing or decreasing their sensitivity, or they may increase or decrease in actual numbers.

The process in which voltage-gated calcium channels become localized together in high densities.

The vesicular release of acetylcholine from a presynapse, across a chemical synapse, the subsequent activation of dopamine 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 behavioral interactions between organisms for the purpose of mating, or sexual reproduction resulting in the formation of zygotes.

The specific movement from place to place of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli. Locomotion of a whole organism in a manner dependent upon some combination of that organism's internal state and external conditions.

Any process in which a protein is transported to, or maintained in, a specific location.

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.

The release of intracellular molecules (e.g. hormones, matrix proteins) contained within a membrane-bounded vesicle by fusion of the vesicle with the plasma membrane of a cell, induced by a rise in cytosolic calcium-ion levels.

The expulsion of feces from the rectum.

Any process that activates, maintains or increases the frequency, rate or extent of cholinergic synaptic transmission, the process of communication from a neuron to another neuron across a synapse using the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Self-propelled movement of a cell or organism from one location to another.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of growth of an organism to reach its usual body size.

Any process that modulates the contraction and relaxation movements of the pharyngeal muscle that mediates feeding in nematodes.

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of synaptic transmission, the process of communication from a neuron to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a synapse.

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 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 long process of a neuron that conducts nerve impulses, usually away from the cell body to the terminals and varicosities, which are sites of storage and release of neurotransmitter.

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 specialized cytoskeletal matrix of the presynaptic active zone. It has specialized functions in organizing synaptic events such as immobilisation or translocation of synaptic vesicles, and assembling active zone components. It is believed to form a molecular scaffold that organizes neurotransmitter release sites.