w/2 Neural Communication Flashcards
How many neurons in the brain?
→ There are 86 billion neurons in the brain, each neuron synapses with about 10,000 others.
Explain Dendrites.
→ Dendrites, are the area where neurons receive most information. There are receptors on dendrites that are designed to pick up signals from other neurons that come in a form of chemicals called neurotransmitters.
What do the signals do to a neuron?
→ Those signals picked up by dendrites cause electrical changes in a neuron that are interpreted in an area called the soma or cell body which contains the nucleus which contains the DNA or genetic material of the cell.
Explain Soma/cell body.
→ The soma/cell body, takes all the information from the dendrites and puts it together in an area called the axon hillock. (if signal is strong enough)
Explain Action Potential.
→ Action Potential, is a brief electrical impulse that transmits information along an axon which is covered with myelin.
Explain Myelin.
→ Myelin, is an insulatory material that helps to prevent the signal from degrading.
Explain the process of a neuron.
- The Dendrites receive information by picking up a signal from other neurons through chemicals called neurotransmitters.
- Which then causes electrical changes within the neuron, that are interpreted by the soma/cell body. After collecting all the information it puts it in an area called the axon Hillock.
- The signal is now referred to as action potential from this point forward. The action potential is a brief electrical impulse that transmits information along an axon which is covered with myelin.
- The last step is the axon terminals, also known as synaptic buttons. When the signal reaches the axon terminals it can cause the release of neurotransmitter. Which then interacts with receptors on the dendrites of the next neuron, and the process repeats with the next neuron.
