Neuronal Communication

Question 1

Explain how dendrites, axons, axon terminals, Nodes of Ranvier and synaptic end bulbs are involved with communication in a neuron.

Answer 1

All involved because all part of the neuron structure.

Dendrites receive information and take it towards cell body.

Axon takes it from cell body and generates
action potential.

Nodes of ranvier are along the axon but don’t touch (uses electricity to signal jumps from node to node along axon to increase speed of communication).

Axon terminal causes the neurotransmitter

Question 2

Define synapse/ synaptic cleft, presynaptic cell, postsynaptic cell, and neurotransmitter.

Answer 2

Synapse/synaptic cleft: space between ending of one neuron and another neuron
Presynaptic: before synapse
Postsynaptic: after synapse
Neurotransmitter: chemical being released from the neuron that carries information to the next cell