Neurotransmitter molecules are typically released in packets, known as vesicles. When an action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal of a neuron, it triggers the influx of calcium ions, leading to the fusion of these vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. This process releases a quantity of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft, allowing for the signaling between neurons. The release can be quantal, meaning that neurotransmitters are released in discrete amounts corresponding to the contents of individual vesicles.
2 Are neurotransmitter molecules released one at a time or in packets?
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