Month: November 2017

Neuron Structure and Synapse

 

 

 

Neuron Structure and Function

Neurons are specialized cells in the nervous system. They carry and send messages by emitting electrical signals which move along the neuron’s axon. Dendrites are extensions of neurons that receive signals and then conducts them to the cell body. The neurons use synapses to communicate. An action potential is an electrical pulse that travels down an axon caused by the movement of positive ions in and out of the axon. An action potential is an electrochemical signal from a nerve impulse. After moving down the axon, once the AP gets the amount of stimulation it requires, it moves or triggers a neuron impulse. This step is called the threshold. During an action potential you are at about 30 mV, but at resting potential, you are at -70mV. Resting potential means there are more positive ions then negative ones, outside and inside the axon.

Synapse Structure and Function

A synapse is the connection or junction between two nerve cells where impulses travel through. The location is at the ends of the terminal brnaches of an axon, and the end of the dendrites of the receiving nerve cell. Neurotransmitters are produced by the axon terminal button, and stores them in the vesicles. The synaptic vesicles release the neurotransmitters when the action potential reaches the axon terminal. The neurotranmitters are released into the synaptic gap. They then bind to the receptors of the receiving nerve cell which are either considered as inhibitory, which represses the AP, or excitatory, which stimulates the AP.