Synaptic potential

Synaptic potential is like a phone call between two friends.

In your brain, there are tiny cells called neurons that talk to each other using electrical and chemical signals. These signals help your brain process information and make decisions.

When one neuron wants to talk to another neuron, it sends a message called a neurotransmitter across a small gap called a synapse. Think of this as one friend calling another friend on the phone.

When the neurotransmitter reaches the other neuron, it attaches to special proteins called receptors. This is like the other friend picking up the phone and saying hello.

The receptors on the second neuron are like little gates that can open or close. When the neurotransmitter attaches to the receptor, it can either open the gate or close it. This is like the second friend either agreeing to talk or hanging up the phone.

If the receptor gate opens, charged particles called ions can flow into the second neuron, creating a tiny electrical signal called a synaptic potential. This electrical signal is like the two friends having a conversation on the phone.

The strength of the synaptic potential can either help or hinder the second neuron from sending its own electrical signal to other neurons. This is like one friend being excited by the conversation and wanting to tell more friends about it, or feeling overwhelmed and wanting to hang up the phone.

Overall, synaptic potential is an important part of how your brain processes information and makes decisions. It is like a phone call between two friends that can either be helpful or hindering.