Which structure is involved in the storage and release of neurotransmitters?

Which structure is involved in the storage and release of neurotransmitters?

• A. Cell body
• B. Dendrite
• C. Axon terminal
• D. Nucleus

Answer: (C)

The axon terminal is the structure responsible for the storage and release of neurotransmitters. At the axon terminal, which is located at the end of an axon, neurotransmitters are stored in specialized vesicles. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the fusion of these vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, leading to the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. This process is crucial for communication between neurons, as the released neurotransmitters can then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, propagating the signal. Other structures like the cell body, dendrite, and nucleus play different roles in neuronal function. The cell body is primarily responsible for the maintenance of the neuron and houses the nucleus. Dendrites are designed to receive signals from other neurons, while the nucleus contains the genetic material and regulates cellular activities, but none of these structures is specialized for the storage and release of neurotransmitters like the axon terminal.

The axon terminal is the structure responsible for the storage and release of neurotransmitters. At the axon terminal, which is located at the end of an axon, neurotransmitters are stored in specialized vesicles. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the fusion of these vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, leading to the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. This process is crucial for communication between neurons, as the released neurotransmitters can then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, propagating the signal.

Other structures like the cell body, dendrite, and nucleus play different roles in neuronal function. The cell body is primarily responsible for the maintenance of the neuron and houses the nucleus. Dendrites are designed to receive signals from other neurons, while the nucleus contains the genetic material and regulates cellular activities, but none of these structures is specialized for the storage and release of neurotransmitters like the axon terminal.