Final answer:
Nerve impulses, which are electrical signals, enable communication between neurons. This involves action potentials and the release of neurotransmitters at synapses, allowing rapid signaling within the nervous system for various bodily functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communication in the nervous system depends on electrical impulses, known as nerve impulses, that travel from one neuron to another. Neurons, the specialized cells of the nervous system, transmit these impulses using a combination of electrical and chemical signals. When a neuron receives sufficient stimulation, an electrical event called an action potential is generated and travels along the neuron's axon until it reaches the synaptic terminal.
At the terminal, the action potential prompts the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, initiating the chemical portion of communication. These neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the receiving neuron, which can either excite or inhibit it, leading to the continuation or cessation of the nerve impulse. This complex process allows for high-speed signaling within the nervous system, enabling functions such as reflexes, movement, sensation, and cognition.