synaptic transmission

• Synaptic transmission

  The relaying of information across the synapse by means of chemical neurotransmitters.
• Step 1 of Synaptic transmission

  The nerve impulse (or action potential) travels down an axon of a pre-synaptic neuron.
• Step 2 of Synaptic transmission

  The nerve impulse (or action potential) reaches the terminal buttons at the end of the pre-synaptic neuron.
• Step 3 of Synaptic transmission

  This triggers the vesicles to move to the edge of the membrane of the pre-synaptic neuron and release neurotransmitters.
• Step 4 of Synaptic transmission

  The neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap/cleft.
• Step 5 of Synaptic transmission

  The neurotransmitters travel across the synapse.
• Step 6 of Synaptic transmission

  The neurotransmitter then binds to the receptors on post-synaptic neurons.
• Step 7 of Synaptic transmission

  Depending on the type of neurotransmitter, the post-synaptic neuron can recieve either an excitatory postsynaptic potential or an inhibitory postsynaptic potential.
• Step 8 of Synaptic transmission

  The neurotransmitters are released by the receptors and return back to the synaptic gap.
• Step 9 of Synaptic transmission

  The neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron transporters in a process called reuptake.
• Step 10 of Synaptic transmission

  The vesicles in the pre-synaptic neuron will be refilled with neurotransmitters ready for the next action potential.
• Inhibitory effect


  Supresses or restrains an impulse, desire or behavioural process.
• Excitatory effect


  Causes a neuron to fire off a message
• Action potential 


  A neural impulse.

  A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.