Exocytosis Collection

Nerve synapse
Synapse. Illustration of a synaptic knob (at left), the junction between two nerve cells. When an electrical impulse reaches the synapse, vesicles (round blue shapes)

Animal cell anatomy, diagram
Animal cell anatomy. Diagram showing the internal and external anatomy of an animal cell

Conceptual image of synaptic vesicles

Conceptual image of synapse receptors

Conceptual image of synaptic transmission

Alveolar cell, TEM
Alveolar cell. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a section through a type II alveolar cell. This cell is found in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs

Animal cell processes, artwork
Animal cell processes. Cutaway artwork showing the structures inside an animal cell and four different processes that take place inside it or on its membrane (all marked by magnifying glasses)

Animal cell anatomy, artwork
Animal cell anatomy. Artwork showing the internal and external anatomy of an animal cell

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Explore the intricate world of exocytosis at the nerve synapse – a crucial process in animal cell communication. In this artistic rendition, observe an alveolar cell's (TEM image) presynaptic terminal teeming with synaptic vesicles, each filled with neurotransmitters. As an action potential reaches the terminal, these vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane (animal cell anatomy, diagram), releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse. The conceptual image of synaptic transmission illustrates these neurotransmitters crossing the narrow synapse gap, binding to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane (animal cell processes, artwork). This interaction triggers a cascade of intracellular signals, ultimately eliciting a response in the postsynaptic cell. Marvel at the beauty and complexity of this intercellular communication system, as depicted in this conceptual illustration of a nerve synapse (animal cell structure, artwork).