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Photonics Dictionary

Synapse

A synapse is a specialized junction between two neurons (nerve cells) or between a neuron and a target cell (such as a muscle or gland cell). It is the fundamental functional unit of communication in the nervous system. At a synapse, the sending neuron (presynaptic neuron) releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, a small gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the receiving neuron (postsynaptic neuron), generating an electrical or chemical signal that continues the transmission of information across the nervous system. Thus, synapses play a crucial role in transmitting signals between neurons and ultimately in the function and regulation of neural circuits and brain activity.
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