BRAINCAKESynapses
The junction between two neurones or a neurone and a muscle or gland cell is called a synapse. The gap separating the axon of one neurone from the dendrite of the next is called the synaptic cleft. It is approx 20 - 30 μm across.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Neurone
- A specialised nerve cell adapted to transmit electrical impulses (nerve impulses) around the body.
- Neurotransmitter
- A chemical released from the presynaptic membrane at a synapse that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, triggering a response.
More in Neuronal Communication
- Hyperpolarisation
- The Action Potential
- Nerve Impulse
- Saltatory Conduction
- Neurotransmitters
- Transmission of Impulse across Synapse
- The Role of Synapses
- Summation
All 38 lessons in Neuronal Communication · All OCR A-level Biology topics