Chapter 24, Problem 6WIO

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reason for beneficial adaptations of synapses and neurotransmitters to animal nervous systems, compared to direct connections between neurons.

Introduction:

A neuron conducts action potential to form a communication network and carry the nerve impulse to another cell. The electrical impulse cannot transmit directly from cell to cell because most neurons do not touch each other. An action potential reaches the tip of an axon and stimulates the release of a chemical called neurotransmitter.