What is the role of neurotransmitters in the brain?

The role of neurotransmitters in the brain is primarily to act as chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another. When a neuron is activated, it releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the small gap between neurons. These chemicals then bind to specific receptors on the surface of the receiving neuron, leading to various effects such as stimulating the neuron to generate an action potential or inhibiting its activity. This process is essential for communication within the brain and nervous system, facilitating everything from reflexes to complex behaviors and emotions.

Neurotransmitters can have different functions based on their chemical nature and the type of receptors they interact with, influencing diverse processes like mood, cognition, and movement. Understanding neurotransmitters is fundamental in psychology and neuroscience, as imbalances or disruptions in their activity can be associated with various mental health disorders.

The other options describe different roles: hormones relate to broader bodily functions beyond just neural communication, proteins indeed have structural functions but do not directly transmit signals like neurotransmitters, and enzymes facilitate chemical reactions but are not specifically the signaling molecules between neurons.