Neurophysiological Convergence: Function, Task & Disease

Neurons in the human organism are organized in a network-like structure. Within it, they are interconnected via neurophysiological convergence. A neuron receives inputs from various other neurons and sums up these inputs. Brain damage with disruption of neuronal connectivity disrupts this principle of convergence. What is neurophysiological convergence? Neurons are organized in a network-like structure … Neurophysiological Convergence: Function, Task & Disease

Nerves

Synonym nerve cells, neurons, lat. : nerve, -i Definition Neurons are nerve cells and therefore part of the nervous system. They serve the Recording, Processing and Forwarding of information. A nerve cell consists of a cell body (perikaryon or soma) and extensions. There are two types of extensions: Dendrites and Axons. Physiology Information is transmitted … Nerves

Excitation line | Nerves

Excitation line In order for the information to spread along the nerve cell and be transmitted over long distances, action potentials must be generated along the nerve again and again. Two forms of excitation conduction can be distinguished: In saltatory conduction, parts of the nerve are so well isolated in regular sections that the excitation … Excitation line | Nerves

Melanin Production: Function, Role & Diseases

Melanin production, which is carried out by specialized basal cells in the epidermis called melanocytes, serves primarily to protect the skin and the nuclei of skin cells from the harmful UV component in sunlight. The melanocytes are able to synthesize the skin pigment melanin from the non-essential proteinogenic amino acid L-tyrosine. Secondarily, the individual composition … Melanin Production: Function, Role & Diseases

Synaptic cleft

Definition The synaptic gap is a space between two communicating nerve cells that plays an important role in the transmission of action potentials (nerve impulses). In it a modulation of signal transmission takes place, which has a great pharmacological importance. Construction of a synaptic cleft A synapse is the transition between two nerve cells or … Synaptic cleft

Functionality of chemical synapses | Synaptic cleft

Functionality of chemical synapses Whenever a nerve cell sends a signal to a muscle, gland or other nerve cell, the transmission takes place via the synaptic gap, which is only about 20-30 nanometers wide. The long extensions of the nerve cells (also called “axons”) conduct the nerve impulse (i.e. the “action potential“) from the center … Functionality of chemical synapses | Synaptic cleft

Simplified pictorial representation | Synaptic cleft

Simplified pictorial representation For better understanding the following illustration: A group of hikers (=action potentials) wants to cross a river (=synaptic cleft) with boats (=synaptic vesicles), but there is only one docking and undocking point per side (=pre- & postsynaptic membrane). If they have successfully crossed the flow, they can continue their migration on the … Simplified pictorial representation | Synaptic cleft

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential: Function, Role & Diseases

The inhibitory postsynaptic potential is an inhibitory signal. It is formed by the postsynaptic terminal of a synapse and leads to hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. As a result, no new action potential is generated by that neuron and none is transmitted. What is the inhibitory postsynaptic potential? The inhibitory postsynaptic potential is an inhibitory … Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential: Function, Role & Diseases