Neural Communications (2_17_25)

Neuron

Basic units of the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information.

Dendrites

Part of a neuron that receives messages from other cells.

Axon

Part of a neuron that passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Synapse

The junction between sending and receiving neurons, where neurotransmitters are released.

Action Potential

An electric signal that travels down the axon and sends information to other neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty sheath that insulates the axon and increases the speed of neural impulses.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released from sending neurons that travel across synapses and bind to receptors on receiving neurons.

Agonist

Molecules that enhance neurotransmitter activity by increasing production or blocking reuptake.

Antagonist

Molecules that inhibit neurotransmitter activity by decreasing production or blocking receptor sites.

Reuptake

Process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron after being released.

Excitatory Input

Input that reduces negativity within a neuron, making it more likely to fire.

Inhibitory Input

Input that increases negativity within a neuron, making it less likely to fire.

Resting State

The state of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting a signal, characterized by negative internal charge.

Neural Communication

The process involving neurons passing signals to one another and assessing incoming signals.

Frequency of Firing

The intensity of a signal conveyed through the rate at which neurons fire action potentials.