Michaella's Blog

Neuron Structure

• Neurons are cells that transmit information
• They are composed of the cell body, dendrites, and axon
• Dendrites : receive information from other neurons and sensory receptors
• Nucleus : provides energy fo the Neuron to carry out its d’unions
• Cell body : support the cell’s life support centre
• Axon : carries neuron’s message to other body areas
• Myelin sheath : covers the axon of some neurons and hell’s speed neural impulses
• Terminal branches of axon : form junctions with other cells

Neuron Function

Action potential

• The electrical charge that travels down an axon, caused by the movement of positive ions in and out
• Revisiting potential is when more positive ions are on the outside
• Depolarization is an incoming message that stimulates a section of he axon
• The flow of depolarization is the sequential depolarization and repolarization which causes action potential to move continuously down the axon

Synapse Structure

• A synapse includes the tips of terminal branches of axon, the tiny space between neurons and the ends of dendrites of receiving Neuron

Synapse Function

• When a signal gets to the end of the axon, the chemical signal is sent to the next Neuron in the network
• Axon terminal button : produces NT, stores NT in synaptic vesicles, recycle NT building blocks
• Action potential reaches axon terminal
• Action Potential causes synaptic vesicles to release NT in synaptic gap
• NT diffuses through the gap and binds to receptors on receiving Neuron

• NT message is received as inhibitory or excitatory which will either stimulate AP on receiving Neuron (excitatory) or respires the AP on receiving Neuron (inhibitory)