Synapse

• Synapse


  20nm (nanometers) wide
• Presynaptic Neurone


  • Neurotransmitter stored in tiny packages called vesicles
• Postsynaptic Neurone


  • Receptor molecules
• Nerve impulse arrives at the synapse


  Chemical messenger (a neurotransmitter) is released into the synapse
• Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse


  Neurotransmitter binds with a receptor on the membrane of the postsynaptic neuron
• Binding of neurotransmitter to receptor


  Stimulates impulse in postsynaptic neuron