What is the function of axon terminals in neurons?

The function of axon terminals in neurons is to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Axon terminals are specialized structures located at the end of the axon, where they facilitate communication between neurons. When an electrical signal, or action potential, travels down the axon and reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters stored in small vesicles. These neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft—the small gap between neurons—and bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron, propagating the signal and allowing for transmission of information throughout the nervous system. This process is crucial for neurotransmission and enables various functions such as muscle movement, sensory perception, and cognitive processes.

The other options refer to different functions within the nervous system or cellular components. While some parts of the neuron receive signals (such as dendrites), axon terminals specifically are responsible for the release of neurotransmitters, not for receiving or conducting signals directly. Storing genetic material is related to the function of the nucleus within the cell, not axon terminals. Conducting electricity is a function associated with the axon itself rather than the terminal. Therefore, the primary and accurate role of axon terminals is indeed the release of neurotrans