simpler, less abundant, and faster than chemical synapses
the cytoplasm of the pre- and post-synaptic cells are joined by gap junctions.
Proteins called connexins form hollow tubes that allow for cytoplasms of adjacent cells to be interconnected. This allows direct flow of current from one cell to the next.
Electrical synapses are found in neural systems that require the fastest possible response (example is defensive reflexes) and are used for simple behaviors.