![]() ![]() Some types of neurons have dendritic spines on the dendrites, which are small protrusions that project from the dendrites and which have neurotransmitter receptors that increase the detection of neurotransmitters. If, for instance, a pre-synaptic neuron releases dopamine, the post-synaptic neuron will need dopamine receptors in order to detect the signal and consequently receive the information. Examples of neurotransmitters are dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA and glutamate. If the post-synaptic neuron does not have the specific neurotransmitter receptor, then the neurotransmitter will have no effect. The post-synaptic neuron can detect the neurotransmitters because it has neurotransmitter receptors (number 5 in the figure) to which the neurotransmitters bind. This figure shows the synapse of a pre-synaptic neuron (A) and a post-synaptic neuron (B):Īt the synapse, the pre-synaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters (number 2 in the figure), which are molecules that the post-synaptic neuron detects. More specifically, synapses are the site where two neurons exchange signals: the upstream or pre-synaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters (usually at the end of the neuron, also called axonal terminal) and the downstream or post-synaptic neuron detects them (usually in the dendrites). At the end of these projections are the synapses, which is where the information transfer occurs. ![]() ![]() The dendrites resemble the branches of a tree in the sense that they extend from the soma or body of the neuron and open up into gradually smaller projections. ![]()
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