Psychology dendrite function9/10/2023 These categories are based on how a neurotransmitter behaves at the synapse – what it signals the next neuron to do. In general, neurotransmitters can be divided into two types: excitatory and inhibitory. So far, researchers have identified about 15 to 20 neurotransmitters. So that’s how the neurons use neurotransmitters to send messages to the brain. That receptive neuron then becomes more or less likely to fire an action potential, depending on the excitatory or inhibitory function of the neurotransmitter. Then, the neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the postsynaptic side of the synapse – the dendrites of the next neuron. At the synaptic terminal, vesicles containing neurotransmitters connect to the synaptic membrane, releasing the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. The synapse, or synaptic gap, is where the end of one neuron meets the beginning of another neuron. In terms of neurotransmitters, the most important part of the neuron is the synapse. The myelin sheath is important because it acts as a conductor and insulator, which makes the electrical impulse triggered by the neurotransmitters travel faster down the neurons. The myelin sheath is a layer of fatty cells – also called glial cells – that surround the axon fibers of the neuron. Image Source: Īnother important part of the neuron to remember when you’re thinking about neurotransmitters is the myelin sheath. ![]() An action potential is sometimes referred to as an impulse. This means that a neuron sends information down the axon of the neuron – the part that looks like a tail – away from the cell body. ![]() When a neuron is signaled by a neurotransmitter to “fire,” leading to an action potential. When a neuron is not “firing,” it is at its resting potential. The neurotransmitter then crosses over to the neighboring neuron and signals it to activate with an electrical impulse. Neurons never touch each other, so to get to that other neuron, the neurotransmitter has to cross a small gap called the synapse. They are contained in a part of the neuron called the axon terminal button until they are sent to another neuron. ![]() There are two major types of neurons, motor neurons and sensory neurons, that allow us to (you guessed it) move around and feel things.īut how do these neurons talk to each other? That’s where the neurotransmitters come in. Remember: neurons are the nerve cells that create a giant communication network in our nervous system. They are produced only in the neurons, and because they are a rarer chemical in the body, neurons will recycle the neurotransmitters through a process called re-uptake. Neurotransmitters carry messages between neurons. First Things First: What are Neurotransmitters?Ī neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger inside the body. Are you getting ready to take the AP® Psychology exam? Are you nervous about keeping all those pesky neurotransmitters straight? Have no fear, because the ultimate AP® Psych guide to neurotransmitters is here.
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