Dr. Gretel asked her students to identify what happens after neurotransmitters are released and trigger an action potential in a neighboring neuron. Which student response is accurate?

Question

a
The synaptic cleft closes temporarily to terminate the action potential
b
The myelin sheath absorbs the excess neurotransmitters
c
The receiving neuron's dendrites attach the neurotransmitters to send to the next neuron
d
The sending neuron always reabsorbs the neurotransmitters for reuse

Answer 1

The most accurate response is:

d. The sending neuron always reabsorbs the neurotransmitters for reuse.

This process is known as reuptake, where neurotransmitters that are not bound to receptors are taken back up by the sending neuron to be reused in future neurotransmission.