EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Neurotransmitter – A chemical released from a neuron following an action potential. The neurotransmitter travels across the synapse to excite or inhibit the target neuron. Different types of neurons use different neurotransmitters and therefore have different effects on their targets.

Detailed explanation-2: -Within a neuron, the impulse moves to the tip of an axon and causes the release of neurotransmitters, chemicals that act as messengers. Neurotransmitters pass through the synapse, the gap between two nerve cells, and attach to receptors on the receiving cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -Neurotransmitter is stored inside small sacs called synaptic vesicles, and is released into the synaptic cleft of the synapse when a vesicle fuses with the cell membrane. This process, which is known as exocytosis, can release neurotransmitter in less than a millisecond.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chemical synapses use the release of chemical neurotransmitters to propagate signals from one neuron (presynaptic) to another (postsynaptic). The two cells are separated by the synaptic cleft, a gap of approximately 40 nm between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes.