Neural Communication - My Notes

Question 1

Type of energy?
Moving neurons?
Adaptive neurons?

Answer 1

Communication between neurons is an electrochemical process. It uses both electrical and chemical neurons.
Neurons do not move, they communicate messages.
Neurons adapt physically to suit the frequency and speed of necessary communication.

Question 2

Explain communication within a Neuron

Answer 2

A Neuron has a resting potential when not activated. Negatively charged ions are inside the axon and positively charged ions are outside the Neuron. An electrical impulse known as an action potential or neural impulse is initiated by the soma and travels along the axon towards the axon terminals. This turns the negatively charged ions to positive and the external ones to negative, an action potential is an all or nothing Process. Communication within a Neuron uses electrical energy. Axon membrane returns to a resting potential after the action potential.

Question 3

Explain communication between neurons

Answer 3

The synaptic knob/terminal buttons of the pre synaptic Neuron releases neurotransmitters across the synaptic gap or synapse. These are received by the receptors on dendrite of the post synaptic neruon. Communication between neurons uses chemical energy.