- NEURON -

DIDYOUKNOW?
 QUESTIO 1
N
Describe the electric process of neural firing
(neuron, all-or-none law, threshold, resting
potential, action potential, refractory period)
 QUESTIO 1
N
Describe the electric process of neural firing (neuron, all-or-none
law, threshold, resting potential, action potential, refractory period)

The electric process of neural firing is a fundamental physiological event that underlies the
transmission of information in the nervous system. It involves a sequence of electrical changes within
a neuron,
Neurons fire like a switch, either turning on and transmitting an electrical signal along their axon or
staying off. It's an all-or-none law, just as pulling a gun trigger harder doesn't make the bullet go
faster. Neurons follow this same principle: they're either active or inactive.To make a neuron fire, there
needs to be enough combined force from incoming messages, known as the threshold.
When a neuron is at rest known as resting potential, it has a negative electrical charge of around -70
millivolts. This is because there are more negatively charged ions inside the neuron than outside.
When a message arrives, gates in the neuron's membrane briefly open, allowing positively charged
sodium ions to rush in quickly. This sudden influx of positive ions changes the charge from negative to
positive in that area. Once it reaches a critical point, the neuron fires, sending an electrical signal,
called an action potential, down its axon.
 QUESTIO 1
N
Describe the electric process of neural firing (neuron, all-or-none
law, threshold, resting potential, action potential, refractory period)

An action potential traveling along an axon is like a spark moving down a fuse. As it goes, it changes
the charge in different parts of the axon from negative to positive. Once it passes through a section,
positive ions are pushed out, restoring the negative charge, while the action potential keeps moving.
Right after an action potential, an area can't allow positive ions in for a bit, so the neuron can't fire
again—it's like reloading a gun. After this pause (called the refractory period, the neuron can fire
again, but it might need a stronger push than usual.
Neurons aren't all the same; some send signals quickly, while others are slower, and they can fire at
different rates. The strength of the signal determines how fast they fire, which helps us feel different
sensations, like a gentle touch or pressure on our toes.
Regarding the electrical charge, a resting neuron is usually around -70 millivolts. During an action
potential, it briefly becomes positive at about +40 millivolts. Afterward, it becomes even more negative
than its usual resting state before it can fire again.
 QUESTION 2
Describe the chemical process of transmitting a
signal between neurons with specific reference to
the synapse (synaptic vesicles, synaptic cleft and
receptor sites), neurotransmitters and reuptake.
 QUESTION 2
Describe the chemical process of transmitting a signal between neurons with specific
reference to the synapse (synaptic vesicles, synaptic cleft and receptor sites),
neurotransmitters and reuptake.
Sending messages between neurons happens at a place called a synapse, which
includes an axon terminal from one neuron, a dendrite or cell body of another
neuron, and a small gap filled with fluid, known as the synaptic cleft.

Rather than an electrical jump, at the synapse, chemicals are released from the
axon terminal into this gap.

Inside the axon terminal, there are little sacs called synaptic vesicles. These
vesicles contain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which carry the message. On
the receiving side, the dendrite has ion channels with receptor sites, like specific
keyholes for neurotransmitter keys.
 QUESTION 2
Describe the chemical process of transmitting a signal between neurons with specific
reference to the synapse (synaptic vesicles, synaptic cleft and receptor sites),
neurotransmitters and reuptake.

Neurotransmitters cross the gap when an action potential (an electrical signal) reaches the
synaptic vesicles, they release neurotransmitters into the gap. These molecules then drift
across the gap and many of them fit into the receptor sites on the dendrite. This opens ion
channels, allowing sodium to flow in and activate the next cell. This activation can be in a
neuron, muscle, or gland cell.

To prevent constant stimulation, neurotransmitters are either broken down by enzymes or,
more often, reabsorbed by the neuron in a process called reuptake.This rapid process
takes just milliseconds.
 QUESTIO 3
N
Describe the function and disorders related to key
neurotransmitter (Acetylcholine, Dopamine,
Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, glutame)
 QUESTION 3
Describe the function and disorders related to key neurotransmitter (Acetylcholine,
Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, glutamate)

Acetylcholine (ACh):

Function: Acetylcholine plays a crucial role in muscle contraction, memory, and learning. It is also
involved in transmitting signals in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily
functions like heart rate and digestion.
Related Disorders: A deficiency in acetylcholine is associated with conditions like Alzheimer's
disease, which leads to memory loss and cognitive decline.

Dopamine:

Function: Dopamine is involved in various brain functions, including motivation, pleasure, reward,
and motor control. It plays a significant role in mood regulation.
Related Disorders: Disorders related to dopamine include Parkinson's disease (due to a dopamine
deficiency), schizophrenia (associated with dopamine dysregulation), and addiction (related to the
reward pathway).
 QUESTION 3
Describe the function and disorders related to key neurotransmitter (Acetylcholine,
Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, glutamate)

Serotonin:

Function: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, emotional stability, sleep, and
appetite. It is often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter.
Related Disorders: Low serotonin levels are linked to depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD).

Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline):

Function: Norepinephrine is involved in the body's "fight or flight" response. It plays a role in
alertness, attention, and stress response.
Related Disorders: Disorders related to norepinephrine include post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), where an overactive stress response can lead to flashbacks and anxiety.
 QUESTION 3
Describe the function and disorders related to key neurotransmitter (Acetylcholine,
Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, glutamate)

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA):

Function: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps regulate brain activity by inhibiting
excessive neural firing. It plays a role in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Related Disorders: Low GABA levels are associated with conditions like anxiety disorders, epilepsy,
and sleep disorders.

Glutamate:

Function: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in learning,
memory, and neural plasticity.
Related Disorders: Excessive glutamate activity is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like
Alzheimer's and conditions like migraines and epilepsy.