How a neuron sends a signal
Follow a signal along an axon and across a chemical synapse.
The picture in words
- Dendrites and cell body
- Incoming signals contribute to the activity of the neuron.
- Axon
- Electrical changes can carry a signal toward the axon terminals.
- Chemical synapse
- Neurotransmitters released by a terminal cross a small gap and act on receptors.
Reading the illustration
The drawing simplifies one common form of neural communication. The blue segments represent myelin around the axon.
Try a question
Where does the illustration change from an electrical signal to chemical communication?
Show the explanation
At the axon terminal. Arrival of the signal can lead to neurotransmitter release, which influences the receiving cell across the synaptic gap.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/3-2-cells-of-the-nervous-systemSelected introductory passages inspected