transmission

neural

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Neural transmission involves the communication between neurons, or nerve cells, which are the fundamental units of the nervous system. This communication occurs at specialized junctions called synapses.

There are two primary methods of transmission:

Electrical Transmission: In this method, ions flow directly through gap junctions, which are protein channels connecting adjacent neurons. This allows for rapid and synchronized transmission of signals, and is more common in invertebrates and lower vertebrates.1
Chemical Transmission: This is the more common method, involving the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters from the presynaptic terminal of one neuron. These neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the next neuron, triggering a response. This process allows for complex signaling and regulation within the nervous system.23

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

nervous system
Transmission of information in the nervous system
In the nervous system of animals at all levels of the evolutionary scale, the signals containing information about a particular stimulus are electrical in nature. In the past the nerve fibre and its contents were compared to metal…
Read More
In the nervous system of animals at all levels of the evolutionary scale, the signals containing information about a particular stimulus are electrical in nature. In the past the nerve fibre and its contents were compared to metal…
Read More

nervous system
Evolution and development of the nervous system
…suggest that electrically mediated junctional transmission is older than chemically mediated synaptic transmission, which would require that some epithelial cells secrete chemical substances.
Read More
…suggest that electrically mediated junctional transmission is older than chemically mediated synaptic transmission, which would require that some epithelial cells secrete chemical substances.
Read More

thalamus
The thalamus translates neural impulses from various receptors to the cerebral cortex. While the thalamus is classically known for its roles as a sensory relay in visual, auditory, somatosensory, and gustatory systems, it also has significant roles in motor activity, emotion, memory, arousal, and other sensorimotor association functions.
Read More
The thalamus translates neural impulses from various receptors to the cerebral cortex. While the thalamus is classically known for its roles as a sensory relay in visual, auditory, somatosensory, and gustatory systems, it also has significant roles in motor activity, emotion, memory, arousal, and other sensorimotor association functions.
Read More