presináptic

Presináptic refers to the neuronal structure located before a synapse. A synapse is a junction between two nerve cells, or between a nerve cell and a muscle or gland cell. The presináptic terminal is the part of the neuron that transmits the signal. It contains neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers, stored in vesicles. When an electrical impulse, known as an action potential, arrives at the presináptic terminal, it triggers the release of these neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the space between the presináptic and postsynaptic neurons. This release is a crucial step in synaptic transmission, allowing communication between neurons. The presináptic membrane is the specialized membrane of the presináptic terminal that faces the synaptic cleft. The composition and function of the presináptic terminal are critical for the proper functioning of the nervous system.