Cells in the nervous system that carry the nerve impulses around the body to control behaviour and communicate messages between the brain and the body.
Synaptic transmission
Communicating messages between the brain and the body by passing chemical messages across a synapse.
What are the three different types of neurons?
Sensory - Carry messages from sense organs to the brain to be turned into information
Motor - Carry messages to muscles and glands to produce response
Relay - Allow communication between sensory and motor neurons
Why can neurons only transmit information in one direction?
The neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic end and the receptors which take up the neurotransmitters are located at the start of the post-synaptic end on the next neuron, forcing the signal to only travel in one direction.
Process of synaptic transmission
An electrical impulse is triggered in a neuron, causing small vesicles containing neurotransmitters to travel down the neuron to the terminal. The vesicles fuse with the membrane and release neurotransmitters into the synapse, which are then absorbed by receptors on the adjacent neuron and converted into an electrical impulse or reuptake happens.
Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurotrasmitters
Inhibitory - calm down the brain and nervous system e.g. GABA
Excitatory - Stimulate activity in the brain e.g. dopamine.
