An electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron is known as an action potential. When a neuron receives a sufficient level of stimulation, the action potential is generated. This is a brief reversal of the electrical polarization of the neuron’s membrane.
As the action potential moves along the axon, it causes the release of neurotransmitters at the axon terminals into the synapse, which is the gap between neurons. This release occurs via vesicles that fuse with the cell membrane, enabling the neurotransmitters to travel across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. This process is essential for communication between neurons and plays a critical role in various neural functions, including muscle contraction, sensory perception, and cognition.