Describe How Neurons in the Central Nervous System Communicate. Using Examples, Discuss How This Has Helped Us to Understand Human Behaviour.
TMA 2
Part 1
Describe how neurons in the central nervous system communicate. Using examples, discuss how this has helped us to understand human behaviour.
Human cognition, emotion, motivation and ultimately life is made possible by neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). This essay will briefly describe the processes involved in neuronal communication and discuss how this knowledge has helped improve our understanding of human behaviour, specifically with regards to neurological and psychological disorders. Neurons connected to motor neurons in the somatic nervous system control the bodies conscious action whilst neurons in the automatic nervous system control involuntary action which keeps the heart pumping and internal processes working. The soma of a neuron is electrically charged reacting to electrical disturbances from either sensory or neighbouring neurons via it 's dendrites. These brief changes of electrical voltage (action potentials) are conducted away from the soma and along the neurons axon. Action potentials travel quickly to the tip of the axon (synapse) where it stimulates the secretion of a particular neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter acts as a chemical message able to bridge the fluid filled synaptic gap between neighbouring neurons so that communication between cells can occur. The amount of neurotransmitter released into the synaptic gap depends on the frequency of the incoming action potential. On reaching compatible receptors on the postsynaptic neuron the neurotransmitter has an effect on the neighbouring cells action potential, either creating anew or increasing the frequency of an already present action potential (excitation) or suppressing action potential activity (inhibition). Crucially the neurotransmitter only has a short time to stimulate the receptors as it is quickly taken back by the presynaptic neuron in the process of 're-uptake '. In this way the brain can receive incoming messages from the
Part 1
Describe how neurons in the central nervous system communicate. Using examples, discuss how this has helped us to understand human behaviour.
Human cognition, emotion, motivation and ultimately life is made possible by neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). This essay will briefly describe the processes involved in neuronal communication and discuss how this knowledge has helped improve our understanding of human behaviour, specifically with regards to neurological and psychological disorders. Neurons connected to motor neurons in the somatic nervous system control the bodies conscious action whilst neurons in the automatic nervous system control involuntary action which keeps the heart pumping and internal processes working. The soma of a neuron is electrically charged reacting to electrical disturbances from either sensory or neighbouring neurons via it 's dendrites. These brief changes of electrical voltage (action potentials) are conducted away from the soma and along the neurons axon. Action potentials travel quickly to the tip of the axon (synapse) where it stimulates the secretion of a particular neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter acts as a chemical message able to bridge the fluid filled synaptic gap between neighbouring neurons so that communication between cells can occur. The amount of neurotransmitter released into the synaptic gap depends on the frequency of the incoming action potential. On reaching compatible receptors on the postsynaptic neuron the neurotransmitter has an effect on the neighbouring cells action potential, either creating anew or increasing the frequency of an already present action potential (excitation) or suppressing action potential activity (inhibition). Crucially the neurotransmitter only has a short time to stimulate the receptors as it is quickly taken back by the presynaptic neuron in the process of 're-uptake '. In this way the brain can receive incoming messages from the
References: Anisman, H. and Zacharko, Robert M. (1982). Depression: The predisposing influence of stress. Behavioural and brain sciences, 5(1), 89-137. Retrieved from http://www.open.ac.uk/library/ Mareschal, D., Johnson, M Miell, D., Phoenix, A. and Thomas, K. (Eds.) (2007). Mapping Psychology (2nd ed). Milton Keynes: The Open University. Oates, J. and Grayson, A. (Eds.) (2004). Cognitive and language development in children. Milton Keynes: The Open University. Royal college of Psychiatrists (2012). Antidepressants. [http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/expertadvice/treatments/antidepressants.aspx] Retrieved from www.rcpsych.ac.uk Toates, F