What is the process of clearing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft by reabsorbing it into the terminal buttons?

Explore the Biological Bases of Behavior Test. Prepare with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring explanations. Start practicing today!

Reuptake is the process by which a neurotransmitter is cleared from the synaptic cleft by being transported back into the presynaptic terminal buttons. Transporter proteins on the presynaptic membrane grab the transmitter from the synaptic space and pump it back into the neuron, stopping its action on postsynaptic receptors and allowing it to be recycled for future signaling. This is different from diffusion, where the transmitter simply spreads away from the synapse, or from secretion, which is the release of transmitter into the cleft, or from activation, which describes receptor triggering rather than clearance.