Unraveling the Mystery of Brain Cell Communication

Brain cells, or neurons, send messages through a process involving action potentials, synapses, neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides. Action potentials are electrical signals triggered in neurons that travel along their axons. When an action potential reaches the end of an axon, neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, where they bind to receptors on the next neuron, potentially generating another action potential. Neuropeptides, on the other hand, take a longer journey around the brain, binding to receptors in distant regions and influencing behavior. Both neurotransmitters and neuropeptides play important roles in neuronal communication and can affect synaptic plasticity and the brain's ability to learn and adapt.