What function do terminal buttons serve in neuron communication?

Terminal buttons, also known as synaptic terminals or axon terminals, play a crucial role in neuron communication by facilitating synaptic transmission with neurotransmitters. This is the point where the neuron conveys its signal to another neuron or target cell. When an action potential travels down the axon and reaches the terminal buttons, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters stored in vesicles. These neurotransmitters then cross the synaptic gap to bind with receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, thus continuing the communication process.

This function is vital for the propagation of signals throughout the nervous system, allowing for complex interactions between neurons that underpin behaviors, thoughts, and bodily functions. By being the site of neurotransmitter release, terminal buttons are integral to how information is transmitted from one neuron to another, enabling a vast array of neural processes essential for functioning and cognition.