Explain the process Transmission of a nerve impulse across a chemical synapse
A nerve impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another through junction called synapses. Electrical current can flow directly from one neuron to the other across these synapses. The membrane of the pre-and post-synaptic neurons are separated by fluid-filled space called synaptic deft. Chemicals called neurotransmitters are involved in the transmission of impulses at these synapses. The axon terminals contain vesicles filled these neurotransmitters. When an impulse (action potential) 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, present on the post- synaptic membrane. This binding opens ion channels allowing the entry of ions which can generate a new potential in the post- synaptic neuron. The new potential developed may be either excitatory or inhibitory.
