How do neurotransmitters "communicate" with postsynaptic neurons?
A) Like a "key fitting into a lock," they bind with corresponding receptor sites on dendrites of the neuron.
B) Like "water over a dam," they build up until they flood into the next neuron through sheer force.
C) Like a "hot knife through butter," they easily penetrate right into the cell body through the dendrites.
D) Like "throwing darts," they are propelled across the synapse and communicate with the neuron wherever they land.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters bind with specific receptor sites on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron, causing a change in the electrical potential of the neuron and conveying the signal to the rest of the neuron. This is commonly known as the "lock and key" model of neurotransmitter action.

How Do Neurotransmitters "Communicate" with Postsynaptic Neurons