Steps in chemical synaptic transmission

step 2

Calcium channels in the axon terminal are opened by depolarization

step 4

Calcium induces synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane.

step 3

Calcium ions flow into the neuron through the open channels.

step 1

Presynaptic axon terminal is depolarized by the action potential

step 6

Binding of neurotransmitter causes channels to open in the neuron, depolarization the neuron, which is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP).

step 5

Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft and bind with postsynaptic receptors.