The Lab

Explore a synapse

The tiny junction where one neuron talks to the next. Spin it, click a part to see what it does, and hit Release to send neurotransmitter across the gap. You can also break any part to see what goes wrong, then repair it.

Building the synapse…
A labeled 3D synapse: presynaptic terminal, synaptic vesicles, neurotransmitter, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic membrane, receptors, and reuptake transporters

Your browser could not start 3D graphics. You can still read about each part using the buttons above.

Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom · click a part

A stylized teaching model built by The Neuroscience Review. Distances are exaggerated so you can see inside. Descriptions written and sourced by us.