Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
presynaptically

presynaptically

1 9.9
Happens on the sending side where two nerve cells meet
  • adverb
  • /ˌpriːsɪˈnæptɪkli/
  • Specialized
: presinápticamente
  • Changes in calcium levels occur presynaptically, influencing neurotransmitter release.

Examples

  • The neurotransmitter is released presynaptically, allowing communication between nerve cells.

  • Most of the presynaptically labeled cells in A24b/M2 were located in layer 5 (Figures 1D, S1A, and S1B).

    Academic text (2017)

  • The research showed that certain receptors are activated presynaptically, enhancing synaptic transmission.

Surface Forms

presynaptically positive

Morphology

presynaptically = presynaptic (semi-transparent) = pre + synapse + ic + ally

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ally' to 'presynaptic', which itself is a regular combination of 'pre-' + 'synaptic'.

Etymology

The word presynaptically begins with pre- meaning 'before' and ends with synapse, the tiny 'meeting point' between nerve cells, with syn- like in synchronize meaning 'together'. So presynaptically means 'on the side before the synapse', that is, on the side of a nerve cell that sends signals.