Nerve impulses reach the axonal terminal of the presynaptic neuron and open Ca2+ channels
•Neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft via exocytosis in response to synaptotagmin
•Neurotransmitter crosses the synaptic cleft and binds to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
•Postsynaptic membrane permeability changes, causing an excitatory or inhibitory effect