What is the role of neurotransmitters in communication between neurons?
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that travel across the synapse and influence whether a neuron will generate an action potential.
The synapse is the tiny, fluid-filled gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another.
What is a synapse?
The synapse is the tiny, fluid-filled gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron.
The action potential cannot jump the gap.
What is an excitatory effect?
An excitatory effect is a neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or fire.
The second neuron is more likely to fire.
What is an inhibitory effect?
An inhibitory effect is a neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that a receiving neuron will generate an action potential or fire.
The second neuron is less likely to fire.
What are receptor cells?
Receptor cells are specialized cells in every sensory system of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into action potentials (neural impulses) that the brain can process.
Example: Receptor cells in the eye turn light into a neural impulse the brain understands.
