Neurons - On or Off

Key Points

• Brain made up of neurons
  • Specialized cells that transmit signals
  • Like body’s electrical wiring, but with multiple wires laid end to end
• 2 types of signals
  • Within the cell – electrical signal
  • Between cells – chemical signal – called neurotransmitters
• Neurons like a switch
  • Want them to be either off or on (all-or-nothing)
  • Electric potential – positive and negative ions

Continue: Of Ion Channels and Neurotransmitters