välittäjäaineeksi

Välittäjäaineeksi is a Finnish term that translates to "neurotransmitter" in English. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across a chemical synapse, such as a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron (nerve cell) to another "target" neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell. They are essential for the functioning of the nervous system.

These chemical substances are stored in vesicles within the presynaptic terminal of a neuron. When an electrical impulse, or action potential, arrives at the presynaptic terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the small gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes. The neurotransmitters then diffuse across the cleft and bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. This binding can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic cell, influencing its activity.

There are many different types of neurotransmitters, each with distinct roles. Some common examples include acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and glutamate. The balance and function of these chemical messengers are critical for a wide range of physiological and psychological processes, including mood, learning, memory, movement, and pain perception. Dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems is implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. The process of synthesis, release, binding, and reuptake or degradation of neurotransmitters is a complex and tightly regulated biological mechanism.