Voltage-gated calcium channels open in response to the depolarization wave traveling down the axon to the nerve terminal.
The opened calcium channels allow for calcium influx into the cell.
Vesicles containing neurotransmitters fuse with the membrane and release their contents into the synapse.
The process of releasing neurotransmitter to the synapse from the nerve terminal is called exocytosis.
The neurotransmitter released binds to post-synaptic membrane receptors on the post-synaptic neuron, causing either depolarization or hyperpolarization of the next neuron.
After binding to receptors and releasing, one possible fate for the neurotransmitter is breakdown.
The other possible fate for neurotransmitters is reuptake by the pre-synpatic neuron and reuse when the next action potential is generated.
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