The Study Of Neuroscience
The Study of Neuroscience By definition, Neuroscience is the study of the brain and nervous system and is considered a biological science. Neuroscience focuses on neurons, a nerve cell, of which the brain is made of tens of billions. Every neuron contains a nucleus that contains the DNA of the cell, just as most other cell types do. Unlike other cells, Neurons have the unique ability of communicating with one another via electrochemicals. Neurons also vary in length, some only a millimeter or two, but may also be a meter long. Neuroscience also studies the behaviors of humans and animals-why they act the way they do. Other studies in neuroscience include studies of the audio and visual systems; local circuits, which studies groups of neurons in order to determine how they work together and the task they perform; single neuron studies which exist to discover how single neurons behave on their own; genetic studies the nucleus of the neuron and the DNA contained within, observing it’s function on a genetic level. (Chudler) Neuroscientists also observe synapses. Synapses are small “gaps” at the end of the neuron. These small “gaps” are what allow neurons to communicate with each other using neurotransmitters, a chemical substance that “carries, boosts and modulates signals between neurons and other cells in the body.” (Cherry) Neurotransmitters connect with the receptor sites in a neighboring nerve cell and triggers an action potential. During an action potential, the membrane opens up to exchange negative ions for positive ones. Once the charge hits +40, the impulse is sent on its merry way down the nerve. These synapses are studied intently as they have provided insight into the causation of behavioral and mental disorders, most notably autism
Works Cited
Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a Neurotransmitter? Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/neurotransmitter.htm
Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a Synapse? Retrieved November 19, 2014,
Works Cited
Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a Neurotransmitter? Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/neurotransmitter.htm
Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a Synapse? Retrieved November 19, 2014,
Cited: Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a Neurotransmitter? Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/neurotransmitter.htm Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is a Synapse? Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/sindex/f/what-is-a-synapse.htm Chudler, E. (n.d.). Neuroscience For Kids: The Hows, Whats and Whos of Neuroscience. Los Angeles, California, United States of America. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/what.html .