Neuron Synapse and Neurotransmitter Release
A synapse is the junction where one neuron passes a message to the next cell. An electrical signal reaching the axon terminal triggers vesicles to release chemical messengers, which cross a tiny gap and open channels on the receiving cell.
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Labelled parts
Key points
- Calcium entering the terminal makes vesicles fuse with the membrane and release neurotransmitter.
- Neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft by diffusion, which is fast because the gap is only about 20 nm wide.
- Binding to receptor channels changes the voltage of the receiving cell, so the signal can continue or be inhibited.
Check yourself
What triggers synaptic vesicles to release their contents?
Check yourself
How do neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft?