A neuron can be represented as an electrical equivalent circuit, which is a mathematical model that represents all of the major electrical properties of a given neuron. An equivalent circuit is made up of batteries, capacitors and resistors.Basically, the model gives us a relatively intuitive idea of how currents are caused by ionic movement and … Continue reading A neuron can be represented as an electrical equivalent circuit
science
Pro-social behavior in rats is modulated by social experience
It seems that spending time with others does more than make you happy, it makes you more empathetic. In a research study done by Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal, et al., rats who were exposed to other rats were more likely to help that.There were two types of rats used, while type albino rats, and rats with … Continue reading Pro-social behavior in rats is modulated by social experience
Water-Filled Pores of Ion Channels
The water-filled pore of an ion channel is important in transporting ions across the cell membrane. But how does this water-filled pore work? Well, we know that ions attract water because water is bipolar: it has an unequal distribution of charges. The oxygen atoms tend to attract electrons, so it has a slightly negative charge, while … Continue reading Water-Filled Pores of Ion Channels
Ion Channels and Ion Pumps
Signaling in the brain depends on the rapid response of neurons to changes in stimuli. These rapid responses are due to the presence of ion channels in the nerve cell membrane. Each ion channel is primed to respond to specific stimuli, either chemical or physical. They also have the property of heterogeneity: there are different … Continue reading Ion Channels and Ion Pumps
Clathrin Coats and Endocytosis
So we all know that organelles and cellular materials move about. One way that endocytic traffic occurs is via clathrin-coated vesicles. The clathrin coat, which is made of proteins, interacts through receptors with extracellular molecules that are going to be taken up into the cell. In other words, the clathrin-coats help facilitate endocytosis. Clathrin-mediated uptake … Continue reading Clathrin Coats and Endocytosis
What makes neurons so special?
We all know that neurons are the building blocks of the brain. They are the main cells that do a lot of the brain’s work, besides the glial cells. (More on glial cells with a later post, though). Now, what is it that makes neurons so special? Neurons are really good quickly and precisely. But what … Continue reading What makes neurons so special?
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Alice-in-Wonderland-Syndrome, or AIWS, is a perceptual disorder where objects or people may seem to be out of proportion, different in size than they should be, colored strangely, or too far or too close away. The size disturbances include micropsia, where the object being looked at appears too small and macropsia, where objects seem too large. … Continue reading Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Palinopsia (No this has nothing to do with Sarah Palin)
No, this has nothing to do with Sarah Palin, unless she has long-lasting afterimages.When you look at an image, and that image is taken away, you are left with an afterimage. This afterimage usually lasts just a few seconds. There can be a positive afterimage, which means that the colors of the afterimage are the … Continue reading Palinopsia (No this has nothing to do with Sarah Palin)
Major Principles of Neuronal Functioning
Neurons themselves are classified by how many processes, or extensions, they have. Neurons have extensions on one end usually called dendrites, which act as receiving cables for electrical signals. Dendrites, which mean trees, are like the rabbit ears of an old television set, receiving signals. A neuron is also made up of an axon, down … Continue reading Major Principles of Neuronal Functioning
Chemical and Electrical Synapses Intro
A synapse is the space between two neurons, the presynaptic and the postsynaptic neuron, and it is the channel through which neurotransmitters and electric activity are released. There are two kinds of synapses in the brain: electrical and chemical synapse. This article will look at the electrical synapse.Electrical synapses are relatively simple compared to the chemical synapse. They occur … Continue reading Chemical and Electrical Synapses Intro
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