An Action Potential in a Neuron
This essay will describe the electrochemical processes that allow an Action potential to occur in a neuron. This will be achieved by firstly, defining the purpose of neurons in the body along with a description of the components within a neuron and how they enable information to be passed through the cell membrane and on to other neurons. Secondly, the resting potential of a neuron will be explored with relation to the concept of selective permeability and the purpose of the Sodium - Potassium pump. Thirdly, the molecular basis of the Action Potential will be explained including a description of hyper polarisation, depolarisation and the purpose of the refractory period. Fourthly, a description of how a signal moves through the components of the neuron will be given as well as an overview of how the information is then transferred to other cells. Lastly, an account of specific problems that can interfere with the production of an Action Potential and the transmitting of information between neurons will be highlighted.
Neurons are regarded as being the most important building blocks ' within the entire nervous system(Rozenweig 1996). Neurons are responsible for receiving and transmitting information to other cells and it is thought that there are 100 to 150 billion neurons in the human body which underlie the simplest to the most complex abilities and tasks (Kandel, Schwartz &Jessell 1991). The production of an action potential is involved in this information transmission. However, in order to give a clear explanation of the process occurring before, during and after the action potential it is first necessary to define the specific components of a neuron which are involved in the process.

Source http: //people.eku.edu/ritchisong
From the diagram above the three main components of a neuron; the cell body, the axon and the dendrites can be identified. The dendrites which extend from the cell body are responsible for receiving
Neurons are regarded as being the most important building blocks ' within the entire nervous system(Rozenweig 1996). Neurons are responsible for receiving and transmitting information to other cells and it is thought that there are 100 to 150 billion neurons in the human body which underlie the simplest to the most complex abilities and tasks (Kandel, Schwartz &Jessell 1991). The production of an action potential is involved in this information transmission. However, in order to give a clear explanation of the process occurring before, during and after the action potential it is first necessary to define the specific components of a neuron which are involved in the process.

Source http: //people.eku.edu/ritchisong
From the diagram above the three main components of a neuron; the cell body, the axon and the dendrites can be identified. The dendrites which extend from the cell body are responsible for receiving
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