Postsynaptic

When we think, listen, or move our bodies, our brain cells send messages to each other. These messages are called “neurons.”

When a neuron wants to communicate with other neurons, it sends a chemical message called a “neurotransmitter.”

The neuron that sends the message is called the “presynaptic neuron,” and the neuron that receives the message is called the “postsynaptic neuron.”

Think of it like a delivery person (presynaptic neuron) dropping off a package (neurotransmitter) to someone (postsynaptic neuron).

The postsynaptic neuron has special protein structures called “receptors” which receive the neurotransmitter.

When the neurotransmitter binds to the receptor, it can cause a change in the postsynaptic neuron, such as making it more likely to send a message to other cells.

Overall, this process of presynaptic neurons sending neurotransmitters to postsynaptic neurons is how our brains communicate and control our bodies.