B1b1 How the brain sends signals

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

a cell in the body, including the brain, that sens information using both electrical and chemical processes.

Question 2

Axon

Answer 2

the ‘cable’ that leads from a cell body of one neuron down to the terminal buttons that hold the neurtransmtter

Question 3

Impulse

Answer 3

the electrical signal that travels from the cell body of a neuron to the terminal buttons, where it releases a neurotransmitter. Also known as action potential

Question 4

Neurotransmitter

Answer 4

a chemical at the terminal buttons of a neuron, which is released by the impulse and then goes into the synaptic gap

Question 5

Synaptic gap

Answer 5

the gap between the dendrites of one neuron and the next

Question 6

Synaptic transmission

Answer 6

what happens when a neurotransmitter released by an impulse of one neuron goes across the synaptic gap and is taken up at the dendrties of another neuron

Question 7

Central nervous system

Answer 7

(CNS), made up by the brain and spinal column. It processes information from the snese and sends responses for relevant parts of body to act upon

Question 8

How brain messages are sent using neurons

Answer 8

1) Electrical impulse triggered from a neuron, it then travels down the axon
2) When the impulse gets to the end of the axon it releases a neurotransmitter in the terminal buttons
3) The neurotransmitter has to cross the synaptic gap to get to the dendrites of the next neuron
4) The neurotransmitter is either taken up by the dendrites or lost
5) If it is received by the receptors, the chemical is picked up
6) Neurotransmitter sets off electrical signal (change chemical balance at receptor) and drops back into synaptic gap to be taken back up and used agian
7) Repeats.

Question 9

“Lock” and “Key”

Answer 9

Receptors at the dendrite are in a shape (“lock”) to only take up by appropriate neurotransmitters (“key”)