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Communication in the Nervous System definitions

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  • Neuron
    Specialized cell transmitting electrochemical signals, integrating inputs to generate action potentials for communication.
  • Action Potential
    Rapid voltage change within a neuron, triggered at threshold, enabling electrical signaling along the axon.
  • Resting Potential
    Stable internal voltage of about −70 mV in a neuron, maintained when not actively transmitting signals.
  • Threshold
    Critical voltage, typically −55 mV, at which an action potential is initiated in a neuron.
  • Ion Channel
    Protein structure in the cell membrane allowing selective movement of ions, crucial for neural signaling.
  • Voltage-Gated Channel
    Membrane protein opening or closing in response to specific voltage changes, regulating ion flow during action potentials.
  • Depolarization
    Phase where the neuron's internal voltage becomes more positive due to sodium influx, initiating the action potential.
  • Repolarization
    Phase where the neuron's voltage returns toward negative values as potassium exits the cell after depolarization.
  • Refractory Period
    Brief phase after an action potential when a neuron is less excitable, ensuring signals travel in one direction.
  • Synapse
    Microscopic gap between neurons where chemical communication occurs via neurotransmitter release and binding.
  • Neurotransmitter
    Chemical messenger released into the synapse, binding to receptors to modulate postsynaptic neuron activity.
  • Receptor
    Specialized protein on the postsynaptic neuron that binds neurotransmitters, triggering changes in neural activity.
  • Glutamate
    Major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, increasing the likelihood of postsynaptic neuron activation.
  • GABA
    Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, decreasing the probability of postsynaptic neuron firing.
  • Reuptake
    Process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron, recycling them for future signaling.