Neurology and Perception

neuron

designed to communicate in brain

pre synaptic neuron

gives message

post synaptic neuron

receives message

neuro communication

neurons communicate chemically and electrically with each other

action potential

“salty banana” (when neuron is at rest, sodium is outside of neuron and potassium is inside)

1) stimulus excites neurons

2) depolarization

3) repolarization

4) hyperpolarized/refractory period

5) resting potential

stimulus excites neuron

• acetyl colene binds to dendrites and creates opening that lets sodium flow in

• repeated multiple times at receptor sites

• makes inside of neuron more positive until it reaches threshold (-55) for neuron to fire

• triggers domino effect of gates opening for more sodium to rush in which increases charge to 30

depolarization

neuron becomes more positively charged and more polarized, and because sodium is rushing in, the outside becomes more negative

repolarization

potassium rushes out of neuron once sodium gates close and voltage goes back down to more more negative

hyper polarized/refractory period

neuron is recharging and back at resting potential

resting potential

ready to fire again