AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Axon – The long, thin structure in which action potentials are generated; the transmitting part of the neuron. After initiation, action potentials travel down axons to cause release of neurotransmitter.

Detailed explanation-2: -The axon terminal is important in cell to cell communication through the neurotransmitters it releases into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters that exit the neuron relay signals to the next target cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -The axonal terminals are specialized to release the neurotransmitters of the presynaptic cell. The terminals release transmitter substances into a gap called the synaptic cleft between the terminals and the dendrites of the next neuron.

Detailed explanation-4: -At the nerve terminal, neurotransmitters are present within 35–50 nm membrane-encased vesicles called synaptic vesicles. To release neurotransmitters, the synaptic vesicles transiently dock and fuse at the base of specialized 10–15 nm cup-shaped lipoprotein structures at the presynaptic membrane called porosomes.