Demonstration

The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is called the postsynaptic neuron. When an action potential reaches an axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron, it causes vesicles contained within the axon terminal to move towards the synapse and release chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters bind with the receptors on the dendrites of the post synaptic neuron, which can trigger an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. Receptors are sensitive to the shape of the neurotransmitter, so a receptor can only bond with a specific neurotransmitter. Once the message has been conveyed, the neurotransmitters are released from the receptors in the synaptic space. Some of them are broken down by enzymes and some are reabsorbed by the pre synaptic neuron.