Final answer:
When a neurotransmitter is released into a synaptic gap and diffuses to the receiving cell, the receiving cell responds by changing its electrochemical potential.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a neurotransmitter is released by one cell into a synaptic gap and diffuses across the gap to the receiving cell, the receiving cell responds by changing its electrochemical potential. The neurotransmitter binds to a receptor on the surface of the postsynaptic cell, causing a change in the electrical state of the cell. This change can lead to the generation of a new electrical impulse, allowing for the transmission of signals between cells.
Neurotransmitters that are released into the synaptic gap are quickly degraded or reabsorbed by the presynaptic cell to ensure a rapid recovery of the receiving cell and prepare it for the next synaptic signal.