The voltage-gated channels along the axonal plasma membrane open and close in response to changes in voltage, and may exist in three distinct states: deactivated, activated, and inactivated. While the axon is at rest, these channels are said to be deactivated; they are impermeable to sodium ions since their activation gates are closed. Once the neuron gets depolarized to the threshold of the voltage-gated sodium channels, the activation gates open, allowing the influx of sodium down its concentration gradient into the cell. During this time the channels are in their activated state. At the peak of the action potential the activation gates are still open, but the inactivation gates close, stopping the flow of sodium through the channels. The channels are in the inactivated state due to the cell becoming depolarized. Once the membrane potential drops back down towards resting, the inactivation gates open, and the activation gates close, thereby deactivating the channels again, until another action potential depolarizes the membrane.

The neuron has a resting potential. In its resting state, the neuron has a resting potential with a slightly negative interior compared to the exterior. Sodium ions enter the cell and alter the membrane potential. Through voltage-gated channels, enters and makes the interior less negative therefore decreasing the membrane potential difference, which is known as depolarization. The membrane potential depolarizes all the way up to the threshold level. After enough enters, the threshold membrane potential is reached. This opens more channels. An action potential is fired, which means that the depolarization spreads down the neuron's axon. This travels down the entire axon, eventually reaching the dendrite and signaling to other neurons.

If an already positive membrane potential becomes more positive, it is becoming hyperpolarized because the electrical difference between the inside and outside of the cell is getting larger. On the other hand, a stimulus that moves the potential difference closer to 0 is depolarizing because it is decreasing the difference in electrical potential between the inside and outside of the cell.

The action potential of a neuron is generate at the axon hillock and is propagated down the axon and to the terminal branches where it will synapse with the dendrites of the next neuron.

To support the general function of the nervous system, neurons must communicate within the cell (intracellular signaling) and between other cells (intercellular signaling). In order to achieve long distance and rapid communication, neurons have special abilities for sending electrical signals (action potentials) along axons. This mechanism is called conduction, and it is how the neuron's cell body communicates with its own terminals via the axon. Communication between neurons is achieved at synapses by the process of neurotransmission.

A synapse is a specialized junction between cells. It is involved in the integration and converging of signals between neurons. At a synaptic junction, the membranes of the pre- and post- synaptic neurons are separated by a gap called a synaptic cleft, which is the site of neurotransmitter release.

Depolarization is when the neuron becomes more positive by gaining positively charged ions, specifically sodium ions. During depolarization the sodium ion channels open and sodium ions enter the neuron, reducing the membrane potential to roughly +35 mV.

Myelin helps to increase resistance along the axon, which helps to propagate the action potential along the axon.

The influx of positive sodium ions into the neuron is known as depolarization. This is the loss of negative charge that occurs when positive sodium passes through the neural membrane and enters the neuron.

Glutamate opens sodium channels in the plasma membrane of the receiving neuron, moving the action potential towards (depolarize) the sodium Nernst potential (81mV). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which opens chloride channels in the plasma membrane of the receiving neuron, making the neuron more difficult to excite (hyperpolarized).