Meaning & use
synaptic
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Meaning
adjectivenot comparabletechnicalbiologymedical
Relating to a synapse, the point where a nerve signal passes from one neuron to another.
Grammar: Used before a noun: synaptic transmission. Not usually graded.
Patterns
- synaptic transmission
- synaptic connections
- synaptic plasticity
The drug affects synaptic transmission in the brain.
Learning and memory depend on changes in synaptic strength.
Researchers studied synaptic connections between neurons in the hippocampus.
Common combinations
- synaptic transmission
- Synaptic transmission is the process by which neurons communicate.
- synaptic plasticity
- Synaptic plasticity allows the brain to adapt to new experiences.
- synaptic cleft
- Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
- synaptic connections
- The brain forms new synaptic connections as we learn.
Synonyms and how they differ
- neural
- Broader term relating to nerves or the nervous system; synaptic specifically refers to the junction between neurons.
Word family
- synapse noun
- The junction between two neurons.
- synaptically adverb
- In a manner relating to a synapse.
Commonly confused: synaptic or synoptic?
synaptic vs synoptic
Synoptic means presenting a general view or summary (e.g., synoptic Gospels), while synaptic relates to synapses.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'synaptic' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Synaptic refers to a synapse, such as the synaptic gap between neurons. The other options confuse synaptic with 'synoptic' (summary) or use it nonsensically.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “synaptic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.