Neurotransmitters are released in a synapse and bind to

When the neurotransmitter has been secreted into the synaptic cleft, it binds to specific receptors on the postsynaptic cell, thereby generating a postsynaptic electrical signal, as described in much more detail in Chapter 7.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that your body can't function without. Their job is to carry chemical signals (“messages”) from one neuron (nerve cell) to the next target cell. The next target cell can be another nerve cell, a muscle cell or a gland.

There are two types of neurotransmitter receptors: Ionotropic receptors (Ligand-gated receptors) Metabotropic receptors (G-protein coupled receptors).

Neurotransmitter receptors. Neurotransmitter receptors are present in the plasma membrane of postsynaptic cells (in some cases also in the presynaptic terminal), which selectively bind the transmitter. They are integral membrane glycoproteins with multiple transmembrane segments.