anatomy+of+a+neuron+1

Dendrite: receive information from other neurons and sensory receptors. The dendrites carry signals toward the cell body. Cell body: carries out basic cellular activities like creating proteins and energy necessary for the function and health of the cell. Location of the nucleus. Axon: carries messages away from the cell body to other body areas. There is one axon for each neuron. Myelin sheath: a cover surrounding the axon that helps speed neural impulses (messages) Synaptic space: the intercellular space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron. Vesicle: membranous sacs in the synaptic end bulb that stores neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter: chemical messenger that relays messages from neuron to neuron.

How nerves communicate: 1) impulse from an action potential opens ion channels for calcium in the axon terminal 2) the increased calcium concentration in the axon terminal initiates the release of the neurotransmitter 3) NT is released from it's vesicle and crosses the gap or synaptic cleft and attaches to a protein receptor on the dendrite 4) interaction on NT and protein open post synaptic membrane ion channel 5) after transmission the NT is either degraded by an enzyme or taken back into the pre synaptic membrane by a transporter or reuptake pump