Neuron communication

• Neuron structure (use photos of your drawings)

• Neuron function
  • How an action potential moves along the neuron fibre
• Resting potential: the electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane when the cell is in a non-excited state
• Depolarization:  a change within a cell, during which the cell undergoes a shift in electric charge distribution, resulting in less negative charge inside the cell than outside.
• Repolarization: restoration of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane of a muscle fiber or cell following depolarization.
• Refractory period: occurs right after you reach your sexual climax. 

• Synapse structure

Mukherjee, S. (2021, June 18). Synapse – definition, types, structure, functions, and diagram. Science Facts. https://www.sciencefacts.net/synapse.html

• Synapse function
  • How a signal is sent from axon of sending neuron to dendrite of receiving neuron
  • -The transfer of information from neuron to neuron occurs by releasing chemical substances into the space between the axon and the dendrites.  These chemicals are called neurotransmitters, and the process is called neurotransmission. The space between the axon and the dendrites is called the synapse.
  • How the receiving neuron “determines” whether or not to send its own action potential
  • – The process by which a receiving neuron decides whether or not to send its own action potential is known as synaptic integration. Neurons communicate with each other at synapses, which are specialized junctions where the terminal of one neuron (presynaptic neuron) releases neurotransmitters that affect the membrane potential of the receiving neuron (postsynaptic neuron).

 

• Citations:

-Jewell, T. (2018, November 14). Everything you need to know about the refractory period. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/refractory-period#:~:text=The%20refractory%20period%20occurs%20right,to%20be%20sexually%20aroused%20again.

-Admin. (2023, August 23). What is a neuron? – definition, structure, parts and function. BYJUS. https://byjus.com/biology/neurons/

-Chrysafides, S. M. (2023, April 10). Physiology, resting potential. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538338/#:~:text=The%20resting%20membrane%20potential%20of,relative%20to%20the%20extracellular%20environment.%20%5B

–Action potentials and synapses. (2023, April 26). Queensland Brain Institute – University of Queensland. https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain-basics/brain/brain-physiology/action-potentials-and-synapses#:~:text=After%20initiation%2C%20action%20potentials%20travel,will%20fire%20an%20action%20potential.