AMPA-type glutamate receptors are the main mediators of synaptic transmission and plasticity. Recruitment of these glutamate-gated channels to synapses is a central mechanism to increase synaptic strength, which underlies learning. Recent progress in structural biology has led to an understanding of AMPA receptor architecture. Combined with coarse-grained simulations these insights have revealed the substantial flexibility of the AMPA receptor complex. In this talk I will highlight some of these advances and will discuss how dynamic rearrangements likely shapes receptor operation at synapses. A particular focus will be the large AMPA receptor N-terminal domain.