BF - Neural Function Lesson

 

Neural Function

In order to understand humans, with our amazing abilities like experiencing emotion, adapting to new environments, and processing multiple thoughts at once, one must analyze the most basic building blocks of our internal communication system. You need to know that:

• your body is made of cells
• some of these cells are neurons
• neurons send and receive information in the brain and throughout the body
• neurons use electricity and chemicals to send their messages

So how exactly do neurons communicate? Imagine a chain of them passing from your brain to your hand. They'll use a series of electrical and chemical messages to send a message. Here are the steps involved in the communication process:

1. the dendrites open to let in positively charged ions
2. these entering positive ions cause the action potential: an electrical current that rushes from the dendrites through the cell body to the axon terminals
3. once the action potential reaches the axon terminals, the axon terminals release a chemical called a neurotransmitter into the synapse
4. the neurotransmitter travels through the synapse and unlocks the dendrites of the next neuron
5. steps 1-4 occur in the next neuron

Your neurons produce dozens of neurotransmitters, each associated with specific functions. Neurotransmitters are released in different parts of the brain and work on certain neurons to create moods, muscle functions, pain, sleepiness, memories, and other functions. The chart below summarizes some of the neurotransmitters and their functions.

Neurotransmitter	Function	Malfunction Examples
Acetylcholine	Movement and memory	People with Alzheimer's disease don't produce enough.
Dopamine	Movement, attention, emotion	People with schizophrenia produce too much. People with Parkinson's don't produce enough.
Serotonin	Mood, hunger, sleep	Many people with depression don't produce enough.
Norepinephrine	Alertness	Some people with depression don't produce enough.
GABA	Calmness	Too little can lead to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.
Glutamate	Memory	Too much can cause migraines or seizures.
Endorphins	Decreases pain and improves mood	Drug use can cause the brain to stop making it's own endorphins, causing drug addiction.

 

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