How is an impulse (action potential) transmitted from the pre-synaptic neuron to the post-synaptic neuron at…
How is an impulse (action potential) transmitted from the pre-synaptic neuron to the post-synaptic neuron at a chemical synapse?
By generating a new potential in the post-synaptic neuron
By opening ion channels in the post-synaptic neuron
By flowing directly from one neuron to another
By releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
Solution
When an impulse arrives at the axon terminal, it stimulates the movement of the synaptic vesicles towards the membrane where they fuse with the plasma membrane and release their neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. The released neurotransmitters bind to their specific receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, opening ion channels and allowing the entry of ions to generate a new potential in the post-synaptic neuron.