Neural Communication

Front

What is neural communication?

Back

Neural communication refers to the process by which neurons transmit signals to each other and to other cells in the body, enabling the nervous system to function.

Front

What is an action potential?

Back

An action potential is a rapid, temporary change in the electrical membrane potential of a neuron, allowing it to transmit signals along its axon.

Front

What role do dendrites play in a neuron?

Back

Dendrites are the parts of a neuron that receive information from other neurons and transmit it to the cell body.

Front

What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?

Back

The sodium-potassium pump exchanges sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions across the neuron's membrane, maintaining the resting membrane potential and facilitating action potentials.

Front

What happens during depolarization?

Back

During depolarization, the neuron's membrane potential becomes less negative, typically due to the influx of sodium ions (Na+) into the cell.

Front

What is repolarization in neural communication?

Back

Repolarization is the process by which the membrane potential of a neuron returns to its resting state after depolarization, primarily through the efflux of potassium ions (K+).

Front

How does an action potential propagate along a neuron?

Back

An action potential propagates along a neuron like a domino effect, starting at the dendrites and moving down the axon.

Front

What is the synapse?

Back

The synapse is the junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals from one neuron to another.

Front

What are neurotransmitters?

Back

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released by neurons at the synapse that transmit signals to other neurons or target cells.

Front

What is the all-or-nothing principle in action potentials?

Back

The all-or-nothing principle states that an action potential either occurs fully or not at all; there is no partial action potential.