Final answer:
Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron, initiating a cascade that may result in an action potential in the receiving neuron.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurotransmitters make contact with the receptors on the dendrites of the receiving neuron, also called the postsynaptic neuron. When an action potential reaches the terminal buttons of the presynaptic neuron, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft. They then travel across this gap and bind to receptor proteins on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron, which can stimulate or inhibit an action potential in that neuron.
The specific receptors that neurotransmitters bind to are shaped in such a way that each neurotransmitter has a corresponding receptor type, allowing for a precise lock-and-key interaction. This specificity ensures that each neurotransmitter can exert its appropriate effect on the postsynaptic neuron. Successful binding of neurotransmitters to these receptors can lead to a cascade of events resulting in either the excitation or inhibition of the receiving neuron.