What are chemical messengers that carry signals from one neuron to another called?

The correct response identifies neurotransmitters as the chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons. Neurotransmitters are synthesized and released by neurons at synapses, the junctions where two neurons meet. When an electrical signal, or action potential, reaches the end of a neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, the gap between the two neurons.

These chemical messengers then bind to specific receptors on the surface of the adjacent neuron (the postsynaptic neuron), initiating a response that can either excite or inhibit the electrical activity of that neuron. This intricate process is essential for the functioning of the nervous system, allowing for the rapid transmission of signals throughout the body.

Other choices do not represent chemical messengers specifically associated with neuron-to-neuron communication. Hormones act as chemical messengers in different contexts, particularly in the endocrine system, but they travel through the bloodstream and influence various organs rather than specifically transferring signals between neurons. Enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions and do not serve the signaling function in neuronal communication. Proteins are fundamental biological molecules but are not classified specifically as chemical messengers in the context of neuron signaling.