How do nerve cells communicate with each other?
                     HOW DO NERVE CELLS 
COMMUNICATE WITH 
EACH OTHER?
Introduction
The human brain is believed to function in a 
complex chemical environment through 
various types of neurons and 
neurotransmitters. Neurons are brain cells, 
numbering in the billions, which are capable of 
instant communication with each other 
through chemical messengers called 
neurotransmitters. 
Source: www.verywellmind.com
The Brain
As we live our lives, brain cells are constantly 
receiving information about our environment. 
The brain then attempts to make an internal 
representation of our external world through 
complex chemical changes.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Neurons (Brain 
Cells)
The center of the neuron is called the cell body 
or soma. It contains the nucleus, which houses 
the cell’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or 
genetic material.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Dendrite
At one end of the cell body are the dendrites, 
which are receivers of information sent by 
other brain cells (neurons).
The term dendrite, which comes from a Latin 
term for tree, is used because the dendrites of 
a neuron resemble tree branches.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Axon
At the other end of the cell body is the axon. 
The axon is a long tubular fiber that extends 
away from the cell body. The axon acts as a 
conductor of electrical signals.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Axon Terminals
At the base of the axon are the axon terminals. 
These terminals contain vesicles where 
chemical messengers, also known as 
neurotransmitters, are stored.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Neurotransmitters
It is believed that the brain contains several 
hundred different types of chemical 
messengers (neurotransmitters). Generally, 
these messengers are categorized as either 
excitatory or inhibitory.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
How it works?
An excitatory messenger stimulates the 
electrical activity of the brain cell, whereas an 
inhibitory messenger calms this activity. 
Source: www.verywellmind.com
How Neurons and 
Neurotransmitters 
Working Together?
When a brain cell receives sensory information, 
it fires an electrical impulse that travels down 
the axon to the axon terminal where chemical 
messengers (neurotransmitters) are stored. 
This triggers the release of these chemical 
messengers into the synaptic cleft, which is a 
small space between the sending neuron and 
the receiving neuron.
Source: www.verywellmind.com
Thank you