The junction between two nerve cells, across which impulses pass by diffusion or a neurotransmitter, is called what?

The junction between two nerve cells, across which impulses pass by diffusion or a neurotransmitter, is called what?

• A. Dendrite
• B. Axon
• C. Nucleus
• D. Synapse

Answer: (D)

This question focuses on how neurons communicate at their contact point. The junction between two nerve cells is called a synapse. In most cases, transmission across this junction is chemical: the arriving impulse triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the end of the presynaptic neuron into the tiny gap (the synaptic cleft). These chemicals diffuse across the gap and bind to receptors on the next neuron, generating a new electrical signal if it’s strong enough. The dendrite is the part that receives signals, the axon conducts impulses away, and the nucleus is the cell’s genetic material. So the name for this communication junction is a synapse.

This question focuses on how neurons communicate at their contact point. The junction between two nerve cells is called a synapse. In most cases, transmission across this junction is chemical: the arriving impulse triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the end of the presynaptic neuron into the tiny gap (the synaptic cleft). These chemicals diffuse across the gap and bind to receptors on the next neuron, generating a new electrical signal if it’s strong enough. The dendrite is the part that receives signals, the axon conducts impulses away, and the nucleus is the cell’s genetic material. So the name for this communication junction is a synapse.