Question

If necessary, refer to Animation: Chemical Synapses. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal:
		sodium ions are released from the axon terminal, enter the cell body of the postsynaptic neuron through its sodium channels, and may initiate an action potential in that neuron. neurotransmitter molecules are released from the axon terminal and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, causing either an inhibitory hyperpolarization or an excitatory depolarization. neurotransmitter molecules are released from the axon terminal, bind to and open the potassium channels on the cell body of the next neuron, and may initiate an action potential in that neuron. calcium ions are released from the axon terminal, bind to and open the sodium channels on the cell body of the next neuron, and may initiate an action potential in that neuron.

Answer 1

• neurotransmitter molecules are released from the axon terminal and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, causing either an inhibitory hyperpolarization or an excitatory depolarization.

The propagation of signal through the synapse depends on the release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron, which is mediated by the opening of Calcium ion channels, and the activity of the neurotransmitter receptors on the post-synaptic neuron. These affect how the neuron responds, by either hyerpolarizing the membrne, and inhibiting responswe or depolarizing the membrane and inducing a signal.