Synapses and chemical transmission

• What is the synapse?

  Where neurons communicate with each other
• What are the components of a synapse?

  Terminal button, synaptic cleft, receptor sites
• What triggers the release of neurotransmitters?

  Electrical signal in the presynaptic neuron
• Where are neurotransmitters released from?

  Vesicles in the presynaptic terminal button
• What happens to neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft?

  They attach to postsynaptic receptor sites
• What is the result of neurotransmitter binding to receptors?

  Chemical message turns into electrical impulse
• What happens to remaining neurotransmitter after signaling?

  It is reabsorbed
• What effect does an excitatory neurotransmitter have?

  Increases postsynaptic neuron's charge
• What effect does an inhibitory neurotransmitter have?

  Increases negative charge in postsynaptic neuron
• What determines if a neuron will fire an impulse?

  More excitatory than inhibitory signals
• What is the outcome when a neuron fires?

  It creates an electrical impulse