Synapse is a biological term for the junction between two neurons where nerve impulses pass, typically via chemical signaling. It denotes the functional connection in neural networks that enables communication within the nervous system. The word is used across neuroscience and psychology to describe the site of signal transmission and plasticity.
"The presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters into the synapse."
"Damage to the synapse can disrupt neural communication and learning."
"Researchers mapped how synapses strengthen during memory formation."
"The drug targets synaptic transmission to modulate neural activity."
Synapse comes from the Greek syn (together) and haptein (to clasp or fasten). The term was coined in the early 20th century as neuroscience formalized the concept of a functional link between neurons. Initially, scientists used broader descriptors for neural contact, but as electrophysiology advanced, the term synapse emerged to capture the gap where chemical signals traverse the synaptic cleft. The early 1900s saw rapid debates about whether signals crossed electronically or chemically; the chemical hypothesis gained consensus with demonstrations of neurotransmitters. The word’s meaning has since expanded to include synaptic junctions between neurons and, more broadly, between neurons and other cell types such as muscle fibers. The first known written use appeared in scientific literature circa 1905–1910, with rapid adoption in neuroanatomy and physiology texts by the 1920s. Over time, “synapse” has become a standard term in neuroscience and education, representing both the antiquated and modern concepts of neural communication and synaptic plasticity.
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Words that rhyme with "Synapse"
-pse sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as SAHY-naps (ˈsaɪˌnæps). The primary stress falls on the first syllable, with a secondary, lighter stress on the second syllable in connected speech. Start with the /s/ vibrating into /aɪ/ (the “sigh” sound), then /n/ and a short /æ/ as in “cat,” ending with /ps/ in a crisp consonant cluster. In careful speech you can separate the /p/ and /s/, but in fluent speech they blend into /ps/.”
Common errors include pronouncing the second syllable as /ə/ (as in “suh-naps”) and merging the final /ps/ into a single /s/ or /z/ sound. Another mistake is misplacing the primary stress, saying “SY-napse” with wrong emphasis or rushing the /ɪ/ before /æ/. Correction: keep /aɪ/ in the first syllable, ensure the /æ/ is clear in the second, and articulate the final /p/ and /s/ as a brief consonant cluster /ps/ rather than a long, vocalic ending.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /ˈsaɪ/ is consistent (the “sigh” vowel). The main differences lie in the rhoticity and vowel length: US tends to have a slightly more pronounced rhotic quality in connected speech and quicker syllable reduction; UK often retains crisper consonants and less vowel length variation; AU may have a flatter intonation with similar vowel qualities to US but with subtle Australian vowel shifts. The /æ/ in /næps/ remains relatively stable across accents, while final /ps/ is briskly released.
Two challenges: the final consonant cluster /ps/ is uncommon in many languages and can lead to a voiceless release that’s easy to swallow. Also, the sequence /aɪ/ followed by /n/ and /æ/ requires careful tongue positioning to avoid vowel merging. You’ll hear a slight tension between maintaining the /ps/ release and not letting the /æ/ merge with the preceding /n/. Practice holds in your mouth the moment before the /p/ and /s/ release.
A key feature is the crisp, almost simultaneous release of /p/ and /s/ in /næps/. The /ps/ is a voiceless, aspirated cluster in careful speech but can become a devoiced, quick release in fluent speech. Pay attention to lip closure: the bottom lip lightly contacts the upper teeth for /p/ before a quick /s/ hiss. IPA guidance: /ˈsaɪˌnæps/; keep the /aɪ/ intact before moving to the alveolar /n/ and the final affricate /ps/.
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