diagram

1.

the action potential arrives at the axon terminal and depolarizes the pre-synaptic membrane

the action potential triggers voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to open the pre-synaptic membrane

3.

Ca2+ enters the pre-synaptic neuron

4.

the presence of Ca2+ within the pre-synaptic neuron activates the synaptic vesicles

5.

synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters migrate and fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane

vesicles are released into the synaptic cleft through exocytosis

7.

neurotransmitters diffuse across the cleft and bind to receptors. This either excites or inhibits the post-synaptic membrane

autoreceptors bind to the neurotransmitters and provide a feedback that regulates the ammount of released neurotransmitters

transported proteins on the pre-synaptic membrane help with the reuptake of neurotransmitters from the cleft back into the pre-synaptic neuron

10.

enzymes in the synaptic cleft break down the neurotransmitter to reverse the effects