Final answer:
The correct answer to the chemical neurotransmission steps is reception, release, and reuptake. This process involves the transfer and clearing of neurotransmitters, like dopamine, across synapses, and is vital for synaptic signaling and neural communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main steps in chemical neurotransmission are reception, release, and reuptake. During this process, neurotransmitters such as dopamine are released from the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft upon the arrival of an action potential. These molecules then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, altering its electrochemical potential and potentially triggering a subsequent action potential. After signaling, neurotransmitters are quickly cleared from the synaptic cleft through diffusion, enzymatic degradation, or are recaptured by the presynaptic neuron in a process known as reuptake.
When neurotransmitters bind to ligand-gated ion channels on the postsynaptic membrane, it leads to changes in the postsynaptic cell's ion permeability, which can excite or inhibit the neuron, impacting the likelihood of it firing an action potential. The clearing of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft is necessary for the postsynaptic membrane to reset and be ready for the next signal.