Identify the four different neuronal circuits, and describe howeach one functions.
Identify the four different neuronal circuits, and describe how
each one functions.
The neurons of the nervous system comprise four main parts: the cell body or the soma, the dendrites, the axons, and the axon terminals. The neurons communicate with each other as well as other cells by the transmission of electrical nerve signals through action potential. The action potential refers to the rapid changes in the membrane potential of neurons. The point of contact at which communication occurs between two neurons is called a synapse. The synapse involves two types of neurons: presynaptic neuron which sends the nerve signals, and postsynaptic neuron which receives the nerve signals.
The axon terminal is responsible for converting electrical nerve signals into chemical signals in a process called synaptic transmission. The chemicals released at the end of the axon terminal are called neurotransmitters, which further allow communication with the other cells. Different types of neurotransmitters present in the body include acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and many others.
The brain consists of large numbers of neurons to regulate the overall body functioning. These neurons are interconnected to each other by synapses to form neural circuits. The neural circuits when activated by a stimulus, carry out a specific function. There exist millions of overlapping and interlinking neural circuits in the body due to the establishment of synapses.
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