What it means
When a nerve signal reaches the end of a neuronNOOR-onA nerve cell: a cell that carries electrical and chemical signals through the nervous system.neur/o nerveFull entry , it releases chemical messengers (neurotransmitterNOOR-oh-trans-mit-erA chemical that a nerve cell releases to pass a signal to another nerve, muscle or gland cell.neur/o nervetrans- acrossmitt send-er one that doesFull entry ) into the synapse. They cross the gap and attach to receptors on the next cell. Many drugs act at synapses: SSRIs keep serotoninser-uh-TOH-ninA chemical messenger in the brain, gut and blood that helps control mood, sleep, appetite and other functions.Full entry in the gap longer, and some drugs block receptors on the other side.
At a glance
| Spanish | sinapsis |
|---|---|
| Also written | synapses, synaptic |
Related terms
neurotransmitter
A chemical that a nerve cell releases to pass a signal to another nerve, muscle or gland cell.
neuron
A nerve cell: a cell that carries electrical and chemical signals through the nervous system.
antagonist
A drug that attaches to a receptor and blocks it, so the body's own chemicals or other drugs cannot act there.
serotonin
A chemical messenger in the brain, gut and blood that helps control mood, sleep, appetite and other functions.