The firing of neurons is one of the most important aspects of the brain and its function. Neurons are constantly firing and the patterns of firing determine what we think and feel. Each neuron has many thousands of inputs and outputs and the firing of a single neuron can affect the firing of hundreds or even thousands of other neurons.
One of the most important functions of neurons is to code for specific stimuli. For example an “it” neuron in the monkey will fire briskly when presented a picture of a Banana but not when presented a picture of an apple. This allows the brain to rapidly and accurately identify the Banana in the picture.
The it neurons are just one type of neuron in the brain. There are many different types of neurons each with its own unique function. For example there are neurons that are specialized for vision for hearing for touch for smell and for taste.
Neurons are also important for storage and retrieval of memories. When we encode a memory we create a pattern of firing in our neurons. This pattern is stored in the brain and can be recalled later when we want to remember the event.
One of the most fascinating things about neurons is that they can change their patterns of firing. This process is called plasticity and it underlies learning and memory. When we learn something new our neurons change their patterns of firing to encode the new information. This process is constantly happening in our brains and it is what allows us to adapt to our ever-changing environment.
What is the name of the cell type that makes up the nervous system?
Answer: neurons
What is the primary function of neurons?
Answer: to transmit nerve impulses
What is the difference between a motor neuron and a sensory neuron?
Answer: Motor neurons initiate nerve impulses that result in muscle contraction.
Sensory neurons transmit impulses from the receptors to the central nervous system.
What is the name of the process by which a neuron receives and processes information?
Answer: synaptic transmission
What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?
Answer: to control the activities of the neuron
What is the name of the long thin projections that extend from the cell body and conduct impulses away from the cell body?
Answer: dendrites
What is the name of the short thick projection that extends from the cell body and conducts impulses toward the cell body?
Answer: the axon
What is the name of the structure that houses the cell body of a neuron?
Answer: the nucleus
What is the name of the fatty substance that covers and protects the axon of a neuron?
Answer: myelin
What is the name of the gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron?
Answer: the synapse
What is the name of the process by which an impulse is transmitted across a synapse from one neuron to another?
Answer: neurotransmission
What is the name of the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic neuron at the synapse?
Answer: acetylcholine
What is the name of the process by which a neuron continually adjusts the strength of its synaptic connections?
Answer: synaptic plasticity
What is the name of the structure found at the end of some axons?
Answer: the terminal buttons
What is the name of the process by which the terminal buttons release neurotransmitters into the synapse?
Answer: exocytosis
