Synapses:
In the brain and throughout the nervous system, synapses serve as the junctions or connections between specific nerve cells (neurons). They are essential for information transfer between neurons. The two primary categories of synapses are:
Chemical Synapses:
These synapses are the most prevalent kind. The synaptic cleft, which separates the dendrites or cell body of the receiving neuron (postsynaptic neuron) from the axon terminal of the transmitting neuron (presynaptic neuron), is present at chemical synapses. Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft when an action potential (an electrical signal) reaches the presynaptic neuron's axon terminal. Depending on the kind of neurotransmitter and receptor involved, these neurotransmitters subsequently bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and either stimulate or inhibit it.
Electrical Synapses:
Direct electrical connections between neurons are involved in these synapses, which are less frequent. Ions and electrical currents can travel straight from one neuron to another at electrical synapses, enabling quick communication.
