What part of a sensory neuron is responsible for the release of neurotransmitters?

What part of a sensory neuron is responsible for the release of neurotransmitters?

• A. Dendritic zone
• B. Soma
• C. Axon hillock
• D. Synaptic knobs

Answer: (D)

Neurotransmitter release happens at the presynaptic terminal, the end of the axon known as the synaptic knob. This region houses synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters. When an action potential arrives at the knob, voltage-gated calcium channels open, calcium enters, and this influx triggers the vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release their contents into the synaptic cleft to communicate with the next neuron or a target cell. The dendritic zone is where signals are received; the soma integrates those signals, and the axon hillock decides whether the impulse continues. The knob is specialized for releasing neurotransmitters, so it’s the part responsible for this function.

Neurotransmitter release happens at the presynaptic terminal, the end of the axon known as the synaptic knob. This region houses synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters. When an action potential arrives at the knob, voltage-gated calcium channels open, calcium enters, and this influx triggers the vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release their contents into the synaptic cleft to communicate with the next neuron or a target cell. The dendritic zone is where signals are received; the soma integrates those signals, and the axon hillock decides whether the impulse continues. The knob is specialized for releasing neurotransmitters, so it’s the part responsible for this function.