Synaptic transmission is the process by which neurons communicate with each other through the release and reception of neurotransmitters across a synapse. This fundamental mechanism underlies all neural activity and is essential for brain function, including learning, memory, and behavior.
Signal transduction is the process by which a cell converts an extracellular signal into a functional response, involving a series of molecular events typically initiated by the binding of a signaling molecule to a receptor. This process is crucial for cells to respond to their environment, regulate cellular activities, and maintain homeostasis.
An excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is a temporary depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane potential caused by the flow of positively charged ions into the postsynaptic cell, making it more likely to fire an action potential. EPSPs are crucial for synaptic transmission and neural communication, as they determine whether a neuron reaches the threshold to initiate an action potential.
Heteroreceptors are specialized receptors located on the presynaptic or postsynaptic neurons that respond to neurotransmitters released by neighboring neurons, thereby modulating the release of neurotransmitters or neuronal activity. They play a crucial role in regulating synaptic transmission and are distinct from autoreceptors, which respond to the neurotransmitter released by the neuron on which they are located.