What is released at the axon terminals to communicate with target cells?

At the axon terminals, neurotransmitters are the chemicals that are released to communicate with target cells. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the release of these neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the receptors on the target cell, which could be another neuron, a muscle cell, or a gland cell.

These neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors on the target cell, leading to a response that can either excite or inhibit that cell's functions, depending on the type of neurotransmitter involved. This process is essential for the propagation of signals throughout the nervous system, allowing for coordinated responses and interactions between various parts of the body.

In contrast, hormones are typically produced and released by glands into the bloodstream and affect distant target cells, while electrolytes and neurons play different roles in the functioning of the nervous system and do not serve as the direct means of communication at synapses.