What is the synapse?

The synapse is defined as a tiny gap between two neurons that allows for communication through the transmission of neurotransmitters. This gap is essential for the process of neurotransmission, where signals are passed from one neuron to another. When an electrical impulse, or action potential, reaches the end of an axon, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft (the gap), binding to receptors on the surface of the next neuron and potentially initiating a new action potential.

Understanding this structure is crucial in grasping how neural communication works, as synapses are integral to both the function of the nervous system and the processes of learning and memory. The other options relate to different aspects of neural function but do not accurately define what a synapse is. For instance, action potentials are initiated in the neuron rather than in the synapse itself, and while neurons do transmit signals, the synapse specifically refers to the connection point rather than the complete structure of the neuron. Lastly, memory processing is associated with specific brain regions, not directly defined by the concept of a synapse.