What are the three components of a synapse?

The three components of a synapse include the presynaptic terminal, the synaptic cleft, and the postsynaptic component.

The presynaptic terminal is where the neurotransmitters are stored and released from. When an action potential reaches this terminal, it triggers the release of these neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, which is the small gap between the presynaptic cell and the postsynaptic cell. The postsynaptic component consists of receptors on the receiving cell that bind to the neurotransmitters, leading to a response in the postsynaptic neuron or muscle cell.

This understanding of the synapse is essential because it forms the basis of neurotransmission, influencing everything from reflexes to higher brain functions. The other choices describe unrelated concepts or components that do not accurately represent the structural and functional components of a synapse.