Neurons, Freeze!
Optics & Photonics Focus
Volume 9 Story 1 - 13/4/2010

How neurons communicate

In the presynaptic neuron (A) vesicles filled with neurotransmitter molecules (1) fuse with the presynaptic neuron membrane (2) to release the neurotransmitter molecules (3). These pass through the synaptic cleft (B), also called active zone, and bind to the corresponding receptors (4) at the postsynaptic neuron (C).
[read full story]

How neurons communicate. In the presynaptic neuron (A) vesicles filled with neurotransmitter molecules (1) fuse with the presynaptic neuron membrane (2) to release the neurotransmitter molecules (3). These pass through the synaptic cleft (B), also called active zone, and bind to the corresponding receptors (4) at the postsynaptic neuron (C).