Final answer:
A synapse is the junction between the axon tip of a sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of a receiving neuron, where neurotransmitters bridge the synaptic cleft to transmit signals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron is known as a synapse. A synapse encompasses the synaptic cleft, a tiny gap that separates the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron from the dendrite or cell body of the postsynaptic neuron. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, neurotransmitters are released across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, thereby continuing the signal transmission process.
Synaptic transmission is vital for neuronal communication and can occur between various components of neurons, such as axon-to-dendrite, axon-to-axon, and dendrite-to-dendrite connections. The efficacy of this transmission can be influenced by several factors, including the number of synaptic vesicles in the axon terminal and the type of neuron involved, whether it is sensory or motor.