Difference Between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron

Here’s the Tabular Difference between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron with their definition, location, functions, effects etc.

Features

Presynaptic Neuron

Postsynaptic Neuron

Definition

The presynaptic neuron is the neuron that is involved in transmitting the message to the synaptic cleft by releasing neurotransmitters

The postsynaptic neuron is the neuron that is involved in receiving the message by taking up the neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft during nerve impulse transmission.

Location Occurs before synaptic cleft Occurs after synaptic cleft
Function Sends Information Receives Information
Effects Opening of calcium channels Closing of calcium channels

Result

The nerve impulse is transmitted to the synapse The nerve impulse is transmitted from the synapse to another neuron.
Process Involved Exocytosis Endocytosis
Type of knobs that mediate transmission Presynaptic knobs Postsynaptic receptors

Difference Between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron

Difference Between Presynaptic Neurons and Postsynaptic Neurons: Presynaptic Neurons and Postsynaptic Neurons are two neurons that are involved in forming chemical synapses for the transmission of impulses between two neurons. The major difference between a presynaptic neuron and a postsynaptic neuron is that the presynaptic neuron is involved in transmitting a message to the synaptic cleft by releasing neurotransmitters while the postsynaptic neuron is involved in receiving the message from the synaptic cleft by taking up neurotransmitters from the cleft.

In this article, you will study the Difference between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron, along with their similarities.

Table of Content

  • What is a Synapse?
  • What is a Presynaptic Neuron?
  • What is a Postsynaptic Neuron?
  • Difference Between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron
  • Similarities Between Presynaptic Neurons and Postsynaptic Neurons

Similar Reads

What is a Synapse?

The synapse is a junction between two neurons that helps in nerve impulse transmission. The presynaptic neuron, synaptic cleft, and post-synaptic neuron collectively form a chemical synapse. Synapse is of two types- chemical synapse and electrical synapse....

What is a Presynaptic Neuron?

The presynaptic neuron is the neuron that is involved in transmitting the message to the synaptic cleft by releasing neurotransmitters such as Acetylcholine (Ach). It is present before the synaptic cleft. Its function is to send the information.When the wave of depolarization reaches the axon ending of the presynaptic neuron, calcium channels present on the presynaptic membrane open, and the influx of calcium ions occurs. Calcium ions bind with synaptic vesicles present in synaptic knobs or terminal knobs of axons. After this, synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters fuses with the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. The process involved is exocytosis. After this, the postsynaptic neuron will receive the message....

What is a Postsynaptic Neuron?

The postsynaptic neuron is the neuron that is involved in receiving the message by taking up the neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft during nerve impulse transmission. It is present after the synaptic cleft. Its function is to receive the information.On the membrane of the dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron, receptors for neurotransmitters such as Ach receptors are present. The neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft released by presynaptic neuron binds with their receptors on postsynaptic neuron and this way the wave of depolarization is transferred to other neuron. The process involved is endocytosis....

Difference Between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron

Here’s the Tabular Difference between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron with their definition, location, functions, effects etc....

Similarities Between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron

As Presynaptic Neurons and Postsynaptic Neurons are different from each other, still they have a lot of common things. Here’s some of the similarities between Presynaptic Neurons and Postsynaptic Neurons:...

FAQs on Difference Between Presynaptic Neuron and Postsynaptic Neuron

1. What are the functions of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons?...