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Neurons
transmit nerve impulses
make up the nervous system
Structure of neurons
Dendrites: short branched fibres that convert chemical information from other neurons or receptor cells into chemical signals
Axon - elongated fibre that transmits electrical signals to terminal regions for communication with other neurons/effectors
Soma - cell body containing nucleus and organelles
Myelin sheath - insulates
Nerouns at resting potential
sodium-potassium pump which maintains this - pumps 3 Na+ ions out, 2 K+ ions in
inside of cell = negative - higher Na+ concentration on outside, higher K+ on inside
Neve impulse transmissions
Resting potential
Threshold potential - stimuli must cross it to activate neuron
Depolarisation - stimulus depolarizes membrane, reaches potential around -55mV which triggers opening of voltage gated sodium channels - Na+ ions rush in due to gradient + attraction - influx makes neuron more positive - depolarizes to +30 mV
Repolarization - voltage gated K+ channels open, allows K+ to leave neuron which makes cell more negative - returns to resting potential
Hyperpolarization - too negative through efflux of K+ ions
Return to resting state - sodium potassium pump returns neuron to resting state at approx. -70mv
Variation in velocity of nerve impulses
Myelination - nodes of Ranvier - jump = increase speed
diameter of axon → smaller = slower, bigger = fast
e.g., squids = giant axon which reduces resistance and faster conduction speed
Synaptic Transmission (definition)
Occurs btw. arrival of an impulse at the presynaptic membrane and initiation of an impulse in the postsynaptic membrane
Synaptic Transmission (process)
release of neurotransmitter - arrival causes depolarization in the presynaptic membrane
influx of Ca2+ causes vesicles (w neurotransmitters) to move to presynaptic membrane - due to voltage-gated calcium channel which open
release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap by exocytosis
new vesicles are formedw ith neurotransmitters - pumped back from synaptic gap
depolarization occurs in post-synaptic neuron - action potential occurs