1 of 15

Synaptic transmission: communication between neurons

2 of 15

Synapse chimique

3 of 15

Electrical synapses are built for speed

4 of 15

Contrast with chemical synapse

5 of 15

6 of 15

7 of 15

8 of 15

9 of 15

Neurotransmitters may be either small molecules or peptides

​

Mechanisms and sites of synthesis are different

Small molecule transmitters are synthesized at terminals, packaged into small clear-core vesicles (often referred to as ‘synaptic vesicles’

Peptides, or neuropeptides are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and transported to the synapse, sometimes they are processed along the way. Neuropeptides are packaged in large dense-core vesicles

10 of 15

11 of 15

Calcium influx is necessary for neurotransmitter release

Voltage-gated calcium channels

12 of 15

Calcium influx is sufficient for neurotransmitter release

13 of 15

The synaptic vesicle cycle

14 of 15

15 of 15

Munc-13 function in priming