2.4 : Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the axon terminal, where it prepares to transmit the signal to a neighboring neuron.

At the synapse, the point of connection between two neurons and the method of signal transmission can vary. Synapses are broadly categorized into two types: electrical and chemical.

Electrical synapse

• Electrical synapses, with their direct connections facilitated by gap junctions, are a marvel of speed and efficiency.
• These junctions allow for the direct passage of ions between cells, enabling the transmission of impulses to be almost instantaneous.
• This rapidity is crucial in parts of the brain that require swift coordination, such as those governing reflexes and essential survival functions.

Chemical synapse

• Chemical synapses, on the other hand, operate through a more complex mechanism involving neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers.
• As the action potential reaches the terminal end of the presynaptic neuron, it prompts the release of these neurotransmitters from vesicles.
• They then traverse the synaptic cleft—the small space between the communicating neurons—and bind to specific receptor proteins located on the surface of the postsynaptic neuron.
• The binding of neurotransmitters to their receptors elicits various responses in the postsynaptic neuron.
• These responses can either excite or inhibit the neuron, depending on the nature of the neurotransmitter and the receptor it engages.
• This modulation allows the nervous system to execute an array of functions, from simple muscle contraction to complex behaviors and emotional responses.
• The versatility and specificity of these chemical interactions are what enable the brain to process vast amounts of information, regulate bodily processes, and adapt to new experiences, highlighting the profound complexity and elegance of neural communication systems.