Name: how neurons send signals
Uploaded: 2024-08-29T22:13:36.000Z
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

Florida Department of Education

High School

Life Science

SC.912.L.14

SC.912.L.14.24

Neuronal Communication

Neurons communicate by sending electrochemical signals that travel along their axons to neighboring neurons.
When the electrical charge within a neuron exceeds a certain threshold, it triggers an action potential. This electrical signal travels down the axon to the axon terminal, where it is transmitted to the next neuron through specialized structures known as synapses.
Synapses are classified into two main types &#8212; electrical and chemical.
Electrical synapses feature direct connections between neurons through gap junctions. This allows for the immediate and direct transfer of ions, facilitating impulse transmission. This type of synaptic transmission is very fast and is typically found in areas of the brain that require rapid coordination.
In contrast, chemical synapses involve the release of neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that travel across the synaptic cleft between neurons.
When an electrical impulse, or action potential, reaches the presynaptic neuron, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters from vesicles into the synaptic cleft.
These neurotransmitters then bind to receptor proteins on the postsynaptic neuron, causing changes that can either excite or inhibit the neuron, depending on the type of neurotransmitter and receptor involved.

neuronale communicatie

Neuronen, de fundamentele eenheden van de hersenen en het zenuwstelsel, communiceren via complexe elektrochemische signalen die alle cognitieve en lichamelijke functies ondersteunen. Deze communicatie wordt voornamelijk gefaciliteerd door een proces waarbij een actiepotentiaal langs het axon van het neuron wordt gegenereerd en verspreid. Wanneer de interne elektrische lading van een neuron een bepaalde drempel overschrijdt, wordt een actiepotentiaal geactiveerd. Deze snelle verandering in spanning reist snel langs het axon naar de axonterminal, waar het zich voorbereidt om het signaal door te geven aan een naburig neuron.

Bij de synaps kunnen het verbindingspunt tussen twee neuronen en de methode van signaaloverdracht variëren. Synapsen worden grofweg onderverdeeld in twee typen: elektrisch en chemisch.

Elektrische synaps

<ul style="list-style-type: disc; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; padding: 0 0 0 40px;">
 <li>Elektrische synapsen, met hun directe verbindingen gefaciliteerd door gap junctions, zijn een wonder van snelheid en efficiëntie.
 </li>
 <li>Deze junctions maken de directe doorgang van ionen tussen cellen mogelijk, waardoor de overdracht van impulsen bijna onmiddellijk kan plaatsvinden.
 </li>
 <li>Deze snelheid is cruciaal in delen van de hersenen die snelle coördinatie vereisen, zoals die welke reflexen en essentiële overlevingsfuncties besturen.
 </li>
</ul>
Chemische synaps

<ul style="list-style-type: disc; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; padding: 0 0 0 40px;">
 <li>Chemische synapsen werken daarentegen via een complexer mechanisme waarbij neurotransmitters betrokken zijn, die chemische boodschappers zijn.
 </li>
 <li>Wanneer het actiepotentiaal het uiteinde van het presynaptische neuron bereikt, zorgt het voor de vrijgave van deze neurotransmitters uit blaasjes.
 </li>
 <li>Vervolgens doorkruisen ze de synaptische spleet, de kleine ruimte tussen de communicerende neuronen, en binden ze zich aan specifieke receptorproteïnen die zich op het oppervlak van het postsynaptische neuron bevinden.
 </li>
 <li>De binding van neurotransmitters aan hun receptoren roept verschillende reacties op in het postsynaptische neuron.
 </li>
 <li>Deze reacties kunnen het neuron opwinden of remmen, afhankelijk van de aard van de neurotransmitter en de receptor die het aanspreekt.
 </li>
 <li>Deze modulatie stelt het zenuwstelsel in staat om een ​​scala aan functies uit te voeren, van eenvoudige spiercontractie tot complexe gedragingen en emotionele reacties.
 </li>
 <li>De veelzijdigheid en specificiteit van deze chemische interacties stellen de hersenen in staat om enorme hoeveelheden informatie te verwerken, lichamelijke processen te reguleren en zich aan te passen aan nieuwe ervaringen. Dit benadrukt de diepgaande complexiteit en elegantie van neurale communicatiesystemen.
 </li>
</ul>

Neuronale communicatie

Neurons communicate by sending electrochemical signals that travel along their axons to neighboring neurons.
When the electrical charge within a neuron ...

Education

JoVE Core

Introduction to Psychology

Inleiding tot de psychologie

Unit 1

Onderdeel 1

Biopsychology

Biopsychologie

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

BELANGRIJKE TERMEN EN CONCEPTEN

how neurons send signals

Neurons send signals through electrochemical communication that supports brain and nervous system function. A key part of this process is the action potential, a rapid electrical change that starts when the neuron’s internal charge rises above a threshold. That signal then travels along the axon to the axon terminal, where it is ready to pass to another neuron.

The connection point between two neurons is called a synapse. Synapses can be electrical or chemical, and each type moves information in a different way. Electrical synapses use gap junctions, which are direct links that let ions move between cells. This makes signal transfer almost instantaneous and is useful in brain regions that need very fast coordination, such as reflex pathways and other survival functions.

Chemical synapses use neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers. When the action potential reaches the presynaptic neuron’s terminal end, neurotransmitters are released from vesicles. They cross the synaptic cleft, the small gap between neurons, and bind to receptor proteins on the postsynaptic neuron. This binding can excite or inhibit the receiving neuron, depending on the neurotransmitter and receptor involved.

These chemical signals help the nervous system carry out many tasks. They support simple muscle contraction, as well as complex behaviors and emotional responses. Their flexibility and specificity also help the brain process large amounts of information, regulate body processes, and adapt to new experiences.

How Neurons Send Signals

introduction to biological bases of psychology

introduction-to-biological-bases-of-psychology

Biological Factors Shaping Behavior and Mind

Biopsychology connects biology and psychology by showing how the body influences behavior and mental processes. It focuses on the nervous system, neurotransmitters, hormones, genetics, and evolutionary ideas. Together, these areas help explain why people think, feel, and act the way they do. The nervous system is the main foundation of biopsychology. It has two parts: the central nervous system, or CNS, and the peripheral nervous system, or PNS. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord and...

nervous system

Nervous System: CNS, PNS, and Reflexes

The nervous system helps the body sense, move, and respond. It works through a network of nerve cells that carry signals around the body. This system has two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system, or CNS, includes the brain and spinal cord. The brain acts as the body’s control center. It processes sensory information and helps coordinate responses. The spinal cord serves as a major pathway for signals between the brain and the rest...

neurons as communicators of the brain

Neuron Parts and Signal Transmission

Neurons are the cells that carry information through the brain and nervous system. They use electrical and chemical signals to help control body functions, from heartbeat regulation to complex thinking. Their structure is built for fast, efficient communication. The cell body, or soma, is the neuron’s control center. It contains the nucleus, which holds the cell’s genetic material and helps maintain the neuron’s health and function. The cytoplasm around it contains organelles that make...

neuronal communication

Neurons send signals through electrochemical communication that supports brain and nervous system function. A key part of this process is the action potential, a rapid electrical change that starts when the neuron’s internal charge rises above a threshold. That signal then travels along the axon to the axon terminal, where it is ready to pass to another neuron. The connection point between two neurons is called a synapse. Synapses can be electrical or chemical, and each type moves information...

neurotransmitters

Brain Chemicals That Shape Mood and Movement

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that help neurons communicate. They play a major role in nervous system function, as well as in mood, movement, sleep, and social behavior. Serotonin is made in the brain and intestines. It is linked to well-being and happiness, and it helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. When serotonin levels are out of balance in the brain or in peripheral sites, depression and sleep problems can occur. Dopamine is produced in several brain areas, including the...

cerebral hemispheres

How the Brain’s Two Halves Work

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spinal cord

Spinal Cord Nerves and Reflexes

The spinal cord is a major part of the central nervous system. It runs from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It helps keep the body stable and carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord sits inside the bony spine for protection. It is divided into 30 segments that match the vertebrae. Each segment connects to a specific body region through paired spinal nerves. These spinal nerves are grouped by where they leave the...

lateralization

Brain Hemisphere Specialization

Brain hemisphere specialization divides mental tasks between the left and right sides of the brain. This split can improve neural efficiency and support more complex human abilities. Each hemisphere tends to handle the work it does best, which helps cognitive processing run more smoothly. The left hemisphere is especially strong in logic and language-related tasks. It supports analytical thinking, which means breaking a problem into parts and solving it step by step. This is important for...

human genetics

Genes, Behavior, and Mental Health

Human genetics explains how genes can influence behavior, emotions, and mental health. It also shows how a person’s genetic code can shape physical traits and the risk of disease. Each individual carries a unique set of genes, so the effects can be subtle or more noticeable. Genes help direct how the brain, hormones, and cells work. These body systems are all shaped by genetic instructions, and they help produce differences in thoughts and behavior. Human genetics therefore links biology with...

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Chromosomes, DNA, and Inherited Traits

Chromosomes, DNA, and inherited traits explain how genetic information is organized in the human body. Each cell contains a nucleus, and the nucleus holds 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs. These chromosomes are tightly coiled structures made of DNA, which carries the instructions passed from parents to offspring. An individual inherits one set of chromosomes from the mother through the egg and one set from the father through the sperm. This combination creates a unique genetic makeup. Of...

genetic variation

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behavioral genetics and its designs

How Behavior Genetics Studies Inheritance

Behavior genetics studies how inherited genes influence human behavior. It looks at how genes passed from parents to offspring help shape behavioral traits and tendencies. The field also examines how inherited factors and environmental influences work together. Researchers use family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies to separate genetic and environmental effects. Family studies track traits within biological families to find possible genetic patterns. They have helped identify...

organization of the brain

Brain Regions and Their Key Functions

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evolutionary psychology

Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

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neuroplasticity

How the Brain Rewires Itself

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brain imaging

Brain Scanning Techniques

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the endocrine system

Endocrine Glands and Hormone Signals

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somatosensory, motor, and association cortex

somatosensory-motor-and-association-cortex

Brain Cortex Areas for Sensation and Movement

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major hormones and their functions

Hormone Imbalances and Their Effects

Hormones are chemical messengers made by endocrine glands. They help control body functions and keep internal conditions stable. When hormone levels shift too far up or down, normal body processes can be disrupted. Several major hormones have clear roles in the body. Oxytocin is made in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It supports social bonding, childbirth, and lactation. Low oxytocin can affect social interaction and stress response, and it may contribute to depression.

inheritance

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gene-environment interactions

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Environmental factors can change how genes are expressed. Gene expression is a dynamic process, and traits can differ even in people with the same DNA. Radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress all help shape the final outcome. The reaction range helps explain this process. It means genes set a possible range for a trait, while the environment helps decide where a person falls within that range. For example, genetics may allow a height range from 5'5" to 6'1", but nutrition,...

heritability

Heritability and the Environment

Heritability describes how genetic differences contribute to trait variation in a population. It is a statistical measure, so it shows how much of the spread in a trait can be linked to genes across a group. It does not tell you how “genetic” a trait is in an individual person. Heritability is usually expressed as a percentage. That percentage can change depending on which population is studied and what environmental conditions are present. This means heritability is context-dependent, not...

natural selection and adaptation

Adaptation in Changing Environments

Natural selection explains how organisms become better suited to their environments over time. It favors individuals with traits that improve survival and reproduction. Adaptation is the result. It includes genetic changes that help an organism function in specific conditions, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes. Adaptation is not only physical. Psychological adaptation also helps organisms, especially humans, succeed in their surroundings. These responses come from both...

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Natural selection and mating preferences work together to shape how organisms survive and reproduce. Natural selection favors traits that help an organism fit its environment. Mating preferences are part of sexual selection, which influences who mates with whom and how genes are passed on. Evolutionary psychologists argue that these preferences are tied to instincts that support reproduction. For females, conception, pregnancy, and nursing create a strong need to choose mates who can offer...

criticisms of the evolutionary perspective

criticisms-of-the-evolutionary-perspective

Social Learning vs. Evolutionary Psychology

Social learning theory and evolutionary psychology offer two different ways to explain sexual behavior. A study in which strangers gave students compliments and then asked for casual sex showed a clear gender gap. None of the women said yes, while 70% of the men agreed. Evolutionary psychology explains this result by arguing that natural selection may have shaped women to be more selective about sexual partners. From this view, selectivity can help improve survival and reproductive success. It...

key terms and concepts

Learn how action potentials travel along axons and how electrical and chemical synapses pass signals between neurons in the nervous system.

How Neurons Send Signals | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Introduction to Psychology offers an engaging learning experience on the fundamental principles of psychology through concise video lessons. Students will explore important topics such as cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and neural mechanisms, establishing a strong foundation in the study of the mind and human behavior. This series provides an accessible and captivating approach to grasp the essential concepts of the discipline.

introduction to psychology

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SC.912.L.14.4

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How Neurons Send Signals

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