Neurological Control

Neurotransmission

Communication between neurons  is made possible by synapses, which can be either electrical or chemical.

A bioelectrical signal, known as an action potential , is initiated at a synapse and travels along the axon to the axonal terminal. Here, the electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal (known as a neurotransmitter) that diffuses out of the neuron, across the synapse, to its neighbouring neuron. At the postsynaptic neuron the chemical signal is converted back into an electrical signal once again. Together, these two signalling mechanisms – action potentials and synaptic signals – are the basis for all the information-processing capabilities in the brain.