noun
- isolated nerve terminals obtained by cellular fractionation, used in neurobiological research to study synaptic function
Usage: scientific; neurobiology
Examples
- Researchers isolated synaptosomes from rat brain tissue to study neurotransmitter release.
- The synaptosomes retained their ability to uptake and release dopamine in the laboratory.
- Scientists used synaptosomes to investigate how drugs affect synaptic transmission.
- The preparation of synaptosomes requires careful homogenization of brain tissue.
- Synaptosomes provide a simplified model system for studying presynaptic mechanisms.
- The calcium-dependent release of acetylcholine was measured in purified synaptosomes.