SYNAPTOSOMES Meaning and
Definition
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Synaptosomes refer to specialized structures within nerve cells responsible for facilitating intercellular communication and transmitting nerve signals. These structures are particularly found in the brain and central nervous system.
Comprised of nerve terminals, synaptosomes play a crucial role in the process of synaptic transmission. They are formed when nerve cells are mechanically or chemically disrupted, leading to the isolation of these isolated presynaptic terminals. This separation enables researchers to study and analyze the functional and molecular aspects of synapses in a controlled environment.
Synaptosomes contain various key components crucial for neuronal signaling. These include mitochondria, vesicles filled with neurotransmitters, synaptic membrane proteins, and enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis, release, and degradation. The presence of these components allows synaptosomes to preserve the physiological and biochemical properties of the original nerve terminal, making them valuable tools for scientific research.
Synaptosomes have been extensively used in neuroscience studies to investigate synaptic function, neurotransmitter release, receptor dynamics, and neuronal plasticity. Researchers can study the effects of various drugs, toxins, and treatments on synapse activity using synaptosomal preparations.
Overall, synaptosomes are isolated nerve terminal structures that serve as a model system for studying synaptic function, communication, and transmission within the nervous system. Their isolation enables researchers to analyze the complex processes underlying neuronal signaling, contributing to a better understanding of brain function and neurological disorders.
Common Misspellings for SYNAPTOSOMES
- aynaptosomes
- zynaptosomes
- xynaptosomes
- dynaptosomes
- eynaptosomes
- wynaptosomes
- stnaptosomes
- sgnaptosomes
- shnaptosomes
- sunaptosomes
- s7naptosomes
- s6naptosomes
- sybaptosomes
- symaptosomes
- syjaptosomes
- syhaptosomes
- synzptosomes
- synsptosomes
- synwptosomes
- synqptosomes
Etymology of SYNAPTOSOMES
The word "synaptosomes" is derived from the combination of two terms: "synapse" and "soma".
- "Synapse" comes from the Greek word "synapsis", meaning "fastening together" or "connection". It was coined by the British physician and anatomist Charles Scott Sherrington in the late 19th century to describe the junction between two nerve cells or between a nerve cell and a muscle cell.
- "Soma" is a Greek word meaning "body", commonly used in biological terms to refer to the body of a cell or an organism.
By combining these two terms, "synaptosomes" was created to describe specific structures formed during experiments involving the isolation of nerve cell components, particularly synapses. Synaptosomes are essentially small vesicles or sac-like structures containing several components of a synapse, such as presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic receptors.
