Question

How do neurons conduct information? (Please note: this question refers only to events occurring during the time from the receipt of an external signal by a single neuron to the time this information is relayed to the next neuron or muscle. It does not include anything relating to the initial sensory neuron that stimulated the neuron in question, or the subsequent neuron or muscle that this neuron stimulates.)

a. What kind of protein “senses” incoming information at the post-synaptic membrane? How specifically does this protein react when the signal activates it?

b. Which type of protein responds next, once the initial sensor has been triggered? What causes this second protein to respond?

c. Do all the proteins of this second kind respond more or less simultaneously with those closest to the primary sensor?

d. Does the signal from that very first sensor response eventually reach the other end of the cell? If it did, why doesn’t it get fainter and fainter? If the very first signal didn’t go all the way, how did the other end of the cell learn about the signal?

e. How did the signal cause neurotransmitter vesicles to fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane?

f. Does the number of vesicles fusing with the membrane vary, or is that number fixed?

g. What process or processes ensure that the released neurotransmitter doesn’t persist too long?

h. What would happen to a muscle or a particular part of the brain interpreting the signal (pleasure, pain, sight, taste-your choice) if the neurotransmitter molecules persisted for minutes or hours?

Answer 1

neurons communicate via the synapse, information from one neuron flows to another neuron across a small gap called synapse , at the synapse electrical signal are translated into chemical signals in order to cross the gap. neurons cnduct electrical impulses by using the action potential.