Verified Document

How Does The Brain Work Essay

Related Topics:

Brain Functions Terminal buttons are on neurons and form the small balls at the end of the axon where chemicals are released. These chemicals are neurotransmitters. Thus, the terminal button acts as the presynaptic neuron of the synapse.

The myelin sheath is a layer of insulation that covers nerves in the brain. It consists of protein and fats, which allow electrical pulses to pass through and on to the nerve cells. The myelin sheath thus protects the nerves in a way that allows messages to get through.

The axon are nerve fibers that look like long, hairs on a nerve cell. They are like the antenna of the neuron, and conduct electrical pulses away from the soma. Axons act as the transmission lines of the nervous system.

The axon hillock is part of the soma that connects to the axon. It is the last point in the soma where membrane potentials are formed before transmission to the axon. The axon hillock serves as a storage/production bay for messaging and gets the message ready for transmission.

Dendrites act as receivers on the cell. They are like branches on a tree that extend out from the main body of the neuron to receive messages from the body. The dendrites receive the stimuli and send them on into...

This is where the nerve impulse is transmitted via a neurotransmitter. It is also known as a synaptic gap—i.e., the distance between neurons which makes messaging possible.
The postsynaptic nerve is a receptor where neurotransmitters are received and bound. These receive the transmissions sent from other nerves.

The presynaptic nerve is converted into the release of a chemical, which is the neurotransmitter. The presynaptic nerve helps to get the impulse from one nerve to the next by developing into the neurotransmitter.

Stimulator receptors help to stimulate the cell for receiving the message from the neuron. They are responsible for alerting the cell to incoming messages.

Inhibitory receptors do the opposite: they block incoming messages and prevent unwanted impulses from progressing.

Receptors in the brain help to fulfill the transmission of an impulse. The impulse is generated in one cell and passed on to the next via the neurochemical. The receptor enables the neurochemical to be received and its message transmitted.…

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Brain Remodeling Re: Math Problems
Words: 1825 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

The research also showed that these discoveries hold enormous promise for helping educators formulate improved methods of delivering educational services, a fact that has not been lost on mathematics teachers in particular. This is not to suggest, though, that the human brain has been completely investigated and is now thoroughly understood. To the contrary, the human brain can be likened to the bottom of the world's oceans where less

Brain-Based Learning New and Effective
Words: 365 Length: 1 Document Type: Term Paper

Furthermore, information is not divided into subject-encapsulated classes, but subjects are integrated into one or more other categories to enhance across-the-board learning. Active participation in the lesson by the physical body of the student has become a central and critical part of learning, as studies have linked the cerebellum with movement as well as the activities of learning. Memory, spatial perception, language, attention, emotion, nonverbal cues and even decision

Brain Scans As Evidence Brain
Words: 2688 Length: 10 Document Type: Research Proposal

Disadvantages of fMRI lshani Ganguli (2007), Harvard University, asserts in the article, "Watching the Brain Lie," that fMRI lie detection does not yet merit a place in the courtroom or elsewhere. Kanwisher stresses: "No published studies come even close to demonstrating the kind of lie detection that would be useful in a real world situation." In addition, according to Ganguli (2007), a number of various types of lies exist that include omissions,

Brain Research and a Brain
Words: 2678 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

88). Even this simple technique can reap big rewards in the classroom (Gilbert, 2002). According to Jensen's book, Completing the Puzzle: The Brain-Based Approach (1996), "Choice changes the chemistry of the brain" (p. 88, cited in Gilbert). When people are presented with the opportunity to make choices about what to do and how to do it, Gilbert points out that the brain benefits in a number of ways; when people

Brain Mapping Though the Practice
Words: 624 Length: 2 Document Type: Thesis

This showed not only the mapping of the brain that was possible -- that is, the association of certain specific areas of the brain with certain function and/or sensations from certain parts of the body -- but also that the adult brain was capable of changing in response to new stimulation. This finding was taken to new heights by Dr. Ramachandran, whose work with amputees and mirrors showed how profound

Brain Dominance Theory
Words: 800 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Dew (1996) regards left and right-brained thinking as being linked to the brain dominance theory. Left-brained thinkers emphasize rationality, data and analytics in their thinking. Right-brained people tend to solve problems through their understanding of relationships, embrace teamwork and look at things as a process. The two sides of the brain, therefore, can both play a role in problem-solving, but the approach to problem-solving can be substantially different. At times,

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now