The neuron and the action potential
Shows how a signal travels within one neuron, ending at the terminal where the synapse begins.
Where this fitsConnects to 1 · Unlocks 1
- Connects to
- Where drugs act: the brain's regions — Regions are made of billions of these cells.
- Unlocks
- The synapse: release, binding and termination — When the action potential reaches the terminal, the synapse takes over.
Orient
The neuron – cell specialized for electrical communication. It receives connections from other neurons (input) and projects connections to other neurons (output). Connections can be excitatory or inhibitory – based on ion flow in and out of neuron. Action potentials are “all or none”.
Course terms
Your professor's wording, word for word from the slides. Learn the term and this definition — the explanation underneath is only there to help it make sense.
- Neuron
“Cell specialized for electrical communication”Slides 02, p. 10
Receives input from other neurons and sends output to other neurons.
- Excitatory vs. inhibitory
“Connections can be excitatory or inhibitory – based on ion flow in and out of neuron”Slides 02, p. 10
Excitatory pushes the neuron toward firing; inhibitory pushes it away.
- Action potential
“All or none”Slides 02, p. 11
It either fires at full size or not at all — stronger input means more action potentials, not bigger ones.
- Dendrites
“Receive the signals from other neurons”Slides 02, p. 15
The input side of the neuron.
- Axon
“The neuronal process that transmits signals from the cell body to other tissues”Slides 02, p. 15
The output cable, ending in terminals that release neurotransmitter.
- Myelin sheath
“Fatty material that covers some neuronal axons, providing protection and increasing the speed of the impulse”Slides 02, p. 15
Made by glial cells.
From your course: Course slides 02, pp. 10–18
Tip: the ← and → keys move through the lesson.
Full lesson: Neuron organization and relational terminology · Action potentials