Axon terminals
Secrete neurotransmitters in synapse
Axon terminals are the small, button-like structures found at the end of axons, which are the elongated nerve fibers that transmit signals from one neuron to another or to target cells. Axon terminals are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers that bridge the gap between neurons and influence the behavior of the target cells.
Axon terminals are structurally complex and consist of vesicles that contain neurotransmitters, mitochondria that supply energy to the cell, and various proteins that are involved in the regulation and control of neurotransmitter release. When an electrical impulse reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, which is the small gap between the axon terminal and the target cell. The neurotransmitter molecules then bind to receptor sites on the target cell, which can either excite or inhibit the cell’s activity, depending on the type and amount of neurotransmitter released.
Axon terminals are critical components of the nervous system and play a key role in many physiological processes, including sensory perception, motor control, learning, memory, and emotional regulation. Dysfunction or damage to axon terminals can lead to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or schizophrenia.
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