Synaptic transfer (UEB Contracted)

By: Rnib Bookshare

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Synopsis: This diagram shows a cross section through a synaptic knob of a neuron, as it forms a synapse with another neuron. There is a locator dot shown, which will be at the top left of the page when the image is the right way up. There is a dashed image border around the diagram. A small branch of an axon starts at the centre left of the diagram and runs horizontally across the page, widening out at the end to form the synaptic knob. The textured area on the right of the diagram is the postsynaptic neuron, which is labelled. Between the postsynaptic neuron and the synaptic knob is the synaptic cleft. There are two calcium molecules to the top left of the synaptic knob. Next to them is the calcium gate. In the synaptic knob there are two vesicles, with neurotransmitter molecules in them. A vesicle has migrated to the right edge of the synaptic knob and burst. It is releasing neurotransmitter molecules which are going across the synaptic cleft. They will lodge in the postsynaptic receptors.