noun
- a nerve terminal that has been separated from its cell body, used in neurobiological research
Usage: scientific; neurobiology
Examples
- Researchers isolated synaptosomes from rat brain tissue to study neurotransmitter release.
- The synaptosome preparation allowed scientists to examine synaptic function in vitro.
- Calcium uptake by synaptosomes was measured using fluorescent indicators.
- Synaptosomes retain many properties of intact nerve terminals.
- The laboratory used synaptosomes to investigate the effects of various drugs on synaptic transmission.