synaptic transitions

• • Once the action potential has arrived at the end of the axon, it needs to transfer across to the next neuron or tissue​

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• • As neurons do not actually touch each other, the message needs to jump across a gap between the neurons, called the synaptic gap (AKA synaptic cleft) ​

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• • At the end of each axon of the neuron are synaptic vesicles (sacs) which contain neurotransmitters – these help with chemically transferring the message to the next neuron ​
• • Neurotransmitters – Chemical substances that carry signals across the synaptic gap to the receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
• Presynaptic neuron (a neuron in the chain)
• Postsynaptic neuron (the next neuron in the chain)
• Once the neurotransmitter (NT) binds to the receptor, it produces either an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the postsynaptic neuron