Neurons & Nuerotransmitters

        The nervous system has a major role in controlling, sending, and receiving messages within the body. The nervous system is made up of neurons which join together to create nerves. The nerve is a fibers that sends messages to another part within your body. To help the messages go fast, the fibers are covered with a substance called Myelin. At the end of your nerve cell's, there are synaptic terminals. Within the gaps between the cells, there are neurotransmitters. A nerve impulse sends a message and then the neurotransmitters are released. The chemicals move, which sparks the neuron to start moving. But in order to send the message, the neurotransmitter needs to reach -55mV, or better known as action potential.  Once it reaches, the nerve impulses move forward and the message is sent. Sodium begins to enter the cell, while potassium leaves the cell. At the peak, Na+ channels close and K+ leaves the cell.

        Neurons come in different shapes and sizes. Some are 4 microns wide, while others are 100 microns wide. Neurons are similar to other cells in the body in that they have a cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, along with all the other organelles. Now, you're most likely wondering,  'why  neurons are so special and not like any other cell?' If you were not wondering that, I'm going to tell you anyways. Well, neurons have a specific job and their structure helps get the job done. Neurons have dendrites and axons. Dendrites receive signals from the body, while axons send signals to other parts of the body. In fact, neurons communicate through electrochemical processes.
        There are two types of nervous systems, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous is made up of a network of your body parts. The peripheral system carries messages to and from the central nervous system. With the help of cranial nerves, the message is sent to different parts of your face such as your eyes and mouth.

Nerve

Here are more ways on how your nervous system works:

FUN FACT:

            Now, you know that neurons have ALOT to do with your brain. But sometimes, things get in the way of the brain functioning properly. One example is alcohol. People who drink usually stumble while walking, do not make sense when they are talking, and/or have memory lapses. This ends up affecting their coordination. The alcohol affects the chemicals needed for neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are usually excitatory , which means they are active in brain activity and properly performing their function, or inhibitory, which means they effect the brain negatively.  An inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA is increased and this causes the slow movements and unclear speech from the alcoholics. In addition, alcohol stops the excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, from being produced. With the reduction of glutamate production and the enhancement of GABA production, the brain also releases dopamine, which creates the feeling of happiness and satisfaction for the individual.

Your brain on drugs video for more info:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkpz7xFTWJo