IGCSEBiologyEdexcelBiology (Modular)Unit 2Revision Notes3. Structure & Functions in Living Organisms: Part 2Co-ordination & ResponseRole of Neurotransmitters at Synapses

Role of Neurotransmitters at Synapses (Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular): Unit 2): Revision Note

Exam code: 4XBI1

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Updated on

Edexcel Biology (Modular): Unit 2Edexcel Science (Double Award) (Modular): Biology Unit 2Edexcel Science (Double Award): BiologyEdexcel Biology

The Role of Neurotransmitters

  • Neurones are not directly connected to each other

  • The tiny gap between two neurones is called a synapse

  • When an electrical impulse reaches the end of one neurone, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers)

  • These neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse and bind to the next neurone, causing a new electrical impulse to be generated

  • This process allows the impulse to pass from one neurone to the next

A synapse

Synapses are tiny gaps between neurones

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

I would just like to say a massive thank you for putting together such a brilliant, easy to use website.I really think using this site helped me secure my top gradesin science and maths. You really did save my exams! Thank you.

Beth
IGCSE Student

This website is soooo useful and I can’t ever thank you enough for organising questions by topic like this. Furthermore, the name of the website could not have been more appropriate as it literally did SAVE MY EXAMS!

Fathima
A Level Student

Incredible! SO worth my money, the revision notes have everything I need to know and are so easy to understand. I actually enjoy revising! It makes me feel a lot more confident for my GCSEs in a few months.

Kate
GCSE Student

Absolutely brilliant, both my girls used it for A levels and GCSE. It's saves on paper copies, also beneficial exam questions ranked from easy to hard. It's removed a lot of stress from the exams.

Sameera
Parent

Just to say that your resources are the best I have seen and I have been teaching chemistry at different levels for about 40 years

Mark
Chemistry Teacher

Excellent

Our rating represented in Trustpilot stars
Read more reviews

Build on this topic

Check your understandingTry an Exam Question on this topic
Previous:Human Nervous SystemNext:Simple Reflex Arc
Author
Reviewer
Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Content Creator

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Lucy Kirkham

Reviewer: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Content Creator

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.