Neurotranszmisszió

Neurotranszmisszió refers to the process by which neurons or nerve cells communicate with each other. This communication occurs at specialized junctions called synapses. When an electrical signal, known as an action potential, reaches the end of a neuron's axon, it triggers the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are stored in small sacs called vesicles within the presynaptic neuron.

Upon release, neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft, the tiny space between the two neurons. They then bind to specific receptor proteins on the membrane of the postsynaptic neuron. This binding can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron, influencing its likelihood of firing its own electrical signal. The effect depends on the type of neurotransmitter and the specific receptor it interacts with.

After their action, neurotransmitters are either degraded by enzymes, reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron (reuptake), or diffuse away from the synapse. This process is crucial for a vast array of bodily functions, including thought, movement, emotion, and sensory perception. Dysregulation of neurotranszmisszió is implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders.