Question

What do you mean by chemical synapse?

Answer 1

The synapse is present between two neurons. It helps in the transmission of impulses from one neuron to another. The synapse helps in forming a circuit within the central nervous system for to and from impulses.

Complete answer:
Neurons are the structural and functional units of the nervous system. The neurons are joined together at the junction known as a synapse. The chemical synapse is defined as the junction in between two neurons or between a neuron and non-neuronal cell-like muscle cells, or cells of various glands or even sensory cells. This junction is formed in between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

The chemical synapse is made up of three elements- presynaptic elements like axon terminal. A synaptic cleft and a postsynaptic element like the dendritic spine. At the synaptic cleft, one neuron releases neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are present in the small sacs which are released in the synaptic cleft by the process of exocytosis. The receptors are present in the postsynaptic cleft which binds the neurotransmitters. Thus, with the help of neurotransmitters, the transmission of impulses takes place.

So we can say that in the chemical synapse, the transmission of impulses takes place by the secretion of a chemical called the neurotransmitters.

Note: Apart from chemical synapses other synapses that exist in human beings are electrical synapse and the immunological synapse. Around 200-500 trillion synapses are present in our body. Some neurotransmitters present in our body are acetylcholine, dopamine etc. This helps in connecting the nervous system to all the other systems present in our body.