Final answer:
Electrical signals in neurons are transformed into chemical signals at the synapse through neurotransmitter release, allowing for communication between neurons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electrical signals that have traveled along the axon are briefly converted into chemical signals through the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse between neurons.
Synaptic transmission involves the conversion of an electrical nerve impulse into a chemical message. This process is crucial in the communication between neurons. An impulse travels down the axon of the presynaptic neuron to the axon terminals. Here, synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, a small gap between neurons. The neurotransmitters quickly diffuse across this gap and bind to specific receptors on the dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron.
This binding initiates a new electrical signal in the receiving neuron, continuing the chain of neural communication. This process is not only vital for basic bodily functions but also underpins complex phenomena such as thought, emotion, and behavior. The speed and precision of synaptic transmission allow the brain to respond rapidly to stimuli, facilitating immediate reactions to the environment.