Which process describes how nerve impulses are transmitted across the synapse?

The process that describes how nerve impulses are transmitted across the synapse is synaptic transmission. During this process, when an action potential reaches the end of a neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitters from vesicles into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron, leading to a change in the electrical state of that neuron, which can initiate a new action potential if the threshold is met.

Synaptic transmission is essential for communication between neurons in the nervous system, allowing for the relay of signals, modulation of responses, and integration of information across various pathways. This process underpins many aspects of neuronal communication, including learning and memory.

In contrast, neurotransmitter release specifically refers to the action of packaging and releasing these chemical messengers but does not encompass the entire sequence of events that occur at the synapse. Neural conduction pertains to the transmission of electrical signals along the length of the neuron itself, and action potential describes the electrical change that occurs within a neuron when it fires, but does not specifically address the synaptic function. Thus, synaptic transmission is the most comprehensive descriptor of how impulses are communicated across the synapse.