Synapse

Diagram of a synapse

A Synapse is a part of the Nervous system that allows an electrical or chemical signal to pass from a neuron to another neuron or to another cell.

## Chemical transmission[edit]

When an action potential reaches the synapse several ion channels are opening to allow calcium to enter the cell. This results in the release of neurotransmitters and its binding to receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane. Consequently, the ion channels of the postsynaptic membrane are opening themselves which results in the triggering of an action potential in the following cell. After this the neurotransmitter gets transported back to the presynaptic terminal.[1]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Synapse