The neurotransmitter, also known as a neuromediator, is a chemical substance whose main function is the transmission of information from one neuron to another through the space called synaptic that separates two consecutive neurons. In any case, the information transmitted by the neurotransmitter can also be carried to other cells such as muscle or glandular cells; It is a key piece when transmitting nervous stimuli. The neurotransmitter begins to act by releasing itself at the extremity of a neuron, while the propagation of the nerve influx develops, fixing on the precise points of the membrane of the next neuron.
Furthermore, the neurotransmitter can be considered as a biomolecule, synthesized in most cases by neurons and that, as we said above, will be released through the synaptic space from vesicles in the pre-synaptic neuron, determining finally a substantial change in the action potential of the postsynaptic neuron. As a consequence of this situation, neurotransmitters turn out to be the most important substances in the synapse.
The effect of the neurotransmitter can be excitatory, if it depolarizes the membrane, or, failing that, inhibitory, if it repolarizes it.
They are classified according to size, small neurotransmitters (amino acids) and neuropeptides, composed of more than 3 amino acids (vasopressin).
In neurotransmitters it is necessary to point out the existence of these themselves and, on the other hand, of neuromodulators. The clarification is well worth because the latter act in a very similar way to neurotransmitters, although they will differ from these because their action is not limited to the synaptic space but rather they diffuse through the extraneuronal fluid, directly intervening in the post-synaptic consequences. of the neurotransmission process. These include: free radicals, luteinizing, amicocidergic, peptidergic, adrenergic and cholinergic.
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