Describe how a neurone communicates its information with an adjacent neurone through the synapse

When two neurones meet we have a something that acts like a bridge to connect the two neurones together and this is called a synapse. When an impulse is traveling through one neurone and wants to continue along the neurone next to it, it has to cross the bridge (the synapse).
To do this we have neurotransmitters which travel across the synapse and reach the next neurone so that the impulse can travel along that neurone. So at the presynaptic membrane (the membrane of the neurone before the synapse) neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft (which is our bridge- the space between the two neurones), the neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft until they reach the postsynaptic membrane (the membrane of the neurone after the synpase). As a result an impulse will be transmitted to the adjacent neurone.

LT
Answered by Leila T. Biology tutor

2624 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is a proposed model for enzyme activity?


An Enzyme has lost is function, it has become denatured. What can be the cause of denaturation? Why does the enzyme no longer function?


What is the difference between Dominant and Recessive alleles?


How does oxygen move into blood


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning