| synaptosome | <cell biology> A subcellular fraction prepared from tissues rich in chemical synapses, used in biochemical studies. Consists mainly of vesicles from presynaptic terminals. Origin: Gr. Soma = body (18 Nov 1997) |
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| synaptosomes | Pinched-off nerve endings and their contents of vesicles and cytoplasm together with the attached subsynaptic area of the membrane of the post-synaptic cell. They are largely artificial structures produced by fractionation after selective centrifugation of nervous tissue homogenates. (12 Dec 1998) |