Here's a breakdown:
* Neurotransmitters: These are chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse, the gap between neurons. They are stored in vesicles at the axon terminal and released into the synaptic cleft when an action potential arrives.
* Excitatory Neurotransmitters: These neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential. Examples include acetylcholine, glutamate, and dopamine.
* Inhibitory Neurotransmitters: These neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential. Examples include GABA and glycine.
The effect of a neurotransmitter depends on both the neurotransmitter itself and the receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. The same neurotransmitter can have different effects depending on the type of receptor it binds to.
