Question

How is an electrical signal converted to a chemical signal at a nerve terminal?

A. Mechanically gated channels change conformation due to the electrical signal and create a mechanical signal.
B. The influx of ions leads to a pH change, chemical transformation, and signaling.
C. Ligand-gated channels are bound by ions and open to allow the flow of neurotransmitters out of the cell.
D. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are activated and the influx of Ca2+ triggers the release of neurotransmitters.

Answer 1

Electrical impulse gets converted into chemical signal at the nerve terminal or synapse. When a nerve impulse reaches the nerve terminal or synapse, it stimulates the fusion of synaptic vesicles (pre and post synaptic vesicles) and release of neurotransmitter.

Answer 2

An electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal in a nerve terminal through the opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, leading to neurotransmitter release.

Step-by-step explanation:

At a nerve terminal, an electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal through the action of voltage-gated calcium channels. When an action potential arrives at the axon terminal, it causes these channels to open. The influx of Ca2+ ions into the neuron initiates a cascade of events leading to the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane and the subsequent release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the target cell, triggering a response such as initiating a new action potential or suppressing activity.