What is a synapse and how does it work?

A synapse is a small gap between neurones (nerve cells). Information is passed along the neurone as an electrical impulse, but to get from one neurone to the next, the information is converted into a chemical. This is known as a neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter is released by the first neurone, diffuses across the synapse and causes the next neurone to transmit an electrical impulse. The synapse is how nerve cells communicate with each other!