Difference Between Chemical and Electrical Synapse

The main difference between chemical synapses and electrical synapses is the mechanism of signal transmission.

In a chemical synapse, the signal is transmitted by the release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron.

In an electrical synapse, the signal is transmitted directly through gap junctions, which are channels that allow ions to flow directly from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron.

Chemical Synapse vs Electrical Synapse

Here are the main differences of Chemical and Electrical Synapse:

Characteristic	Chemical Synapse	Electrical Synapse
Directionality	Unidirectional	Bidirectional
Speed	Slower	Faster
Flexibility	More flexible	Less flexible
Reliability	Less reliable	More reliable
Noise	More susceptible to noise	Less susceptible to noise
Location	Most parts of the brain	Few specific areas