Question

1. how does reuptake work in the synapse? (image shows a synapse diagram with labels: neurotransmitter, synaptic vesicle, voltage - gated ca²⁺ channel, postsynaptic density, receptor, neurotransmitter transporter, axon terminal, synaptic cleft, dendrite)

Explanation:

After neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and transmit the signal, reuptake occurs. Neurotransmitter transporters (proteins) on the presynaptic neuron’s axon terminal membrane actively transport the neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic neuron. This process stops the neurotransmitter’s action on the postsynaptic neuron and recycles the neurotransmitters for future use (e.g., repackaging into synaptic vesicles).

Answer:

Reuptake in the synapse involves neurotransmitter transporters on the presynaptic axon terminal membrane actively transporting neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic neuron. This terminates the neurotransmitter’s postsynaptic action and recycles them for reuse.