Which of the following statements about the transmission across a typical chemical synapse is true?

• A. Neurotransmitter molecules are stored in vesicles in the dendrites.
• B. Action potentials trigger chemical changes that make the neurotransmitter vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane of the receiving cell.
• C. Vesicles containing neurotransmitter molecules diffuse to the receiving cell's plasma membrane.
• D. Neurotransmitter molecules bind to receptors in the sending cell's plasma membrane.
• E. The binding of neurotransmitter molecules to receptors on the postsynaptic cell membrane results in changes to the behavior of the postsynaptic cell.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of a chemical synapse: A chemical synapse consists of a presynaptic neuron, a synaptic cleft, and a postsynaptic neuron. Neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
2. Identify the role of neurotransmitter vesicles: Neurotransmitter molecules are stored in vesicles within the presynaptic neuron, not in the dendrites. These vesicles are crucial for the transmission of signals across the synapse.
3. Recognize the process of neurotransmitter release: When an action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal, it triggers the fusion of neurotransmitter vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
4. Clarify the binding process: Neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic cell membrane, not on the sending cell's membrane.
5. Understand the effect on the postsynaptic cell: The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors on the postsynaptic cell membrane leads to changes in the postsynaptic cell, such as opening ion channels, which can result in an excitatory or inhibitory response.