Final answer:
The specialized presynaptic membrane receptors that remove neurotransmitter molecules from the synapse participate in the process of 'reuptake.' This is one of the three methods by which neurotransmitters are cleared from the synaptic cleft; the others are enzymatic degradation and diffusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specialized presynaptic membrane receptors that are responsible for removing molecules of transmitter from the synapse are involved in a process known as reuptake. Reuptake refers to the neurotransmitter being pumped back into the neuron that originally released it. This process is crucial for clearing the synaptic cleft to reset the postsynaptic membrane and terminate the signal, allowing the neuron to be ready for a new action potential.
The removal of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft can occur through three primary mechanisms: reuptake by the presynaptic neuron, enzymatic degradation, and diffusion away from the synapse. Reuptake serves to both provide a clear distinction between neural signals and to regulate the production of neurotransmitters for future signaling processes.