Why is there a gap between neurons?

Question

I know all about synapses and neurotransmitters and the likes, but why is it necessary to have that gap? Wouldn't it be faster to join the neurons together to pass the impulse straight down them all?

Answer 1

there are electrical synapses where nerve cells are connected by gap junctions. They play usually part in very fast reflexes.
The drawback with this system is, however, that it only allows for exitation and very little control. A lot of control in your body and brain is achieved by inhibition (that inhibition is essential to your wellbeing you experienced first hand if you ever had a cramp). Having a chemical synapse can allow the neuron to have an inhibitory effect onto the next cell if an inhibitory neurotransmitter like GABA is released. A nerve cell can even have an exitatory effect on one cell and an inhibitory effect on another cell. That wouldn't be possible if they would be all electrically connected.
Generally there are tons of chemical regulatory processes at synapses which are all very important. Learning and memory is mediated by chemical and anatomical changes at synapses. The chemical processes allow for much more fine tuning and control than the only having electrical processes would.
But it's a good question!

Answer 2

maybe it is a biological adaptation we haven't received yet or maybe if pain was passed through our bodys quicker it might shock us enough to cause damage to other organs like the heart for giving it a "shock" before the gap between the neurons gives it enough time to learn about the pain stimulus

Answer 3

i remeber in bio he said something about nutrients passing through there or something like that... i was kind of zoned out at the time

Answer 4

It's so they don't overheat. It's a physics thing.