How does the nervous system respond to stimuli?

Answer 1

They FIRE, when a SUFFICIENT stimulus is received.

A neuron can receive a stimulus from a SENSORY INPUT, or from ANOTHER NEURON.

When a SENSORY NEURON is stimulated by some physical event, such as touch, sound, light, etc, sensory receptors on the neurons cell membrane translate the physical stimulus into electrical impulses by causing changes in the balance or proportions of electrically charged IONS.

When a neuron is stimulated by ANOTHER NEURON, the stimulating neuron (or, "pre-synaptic" neuron) has released NEUROTRANSMITTER chemicals into the space between the two neurons (the SYNAPSE), as a consequence of its own activation (firing); the neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron, usually on a DENDRITE, causing Sodium ion pores to open, which allow Sodium ions to enter the neuron which has now been "stimulated". These Sodium ions then electrostatically "bump" other Sodium ions, which bump others, etc, along the dendrites and cell body (soma), in a process called ELECTROTONIC CONDUCTION, which has the property of happening quickly, but looses strength as it moves along. When this impulse reaches the beginning of the neurons AXON, at a location called the AXON HILLOCK, this impulse is summed or added with any other similar impulses, and if it reaches a THRESHOLD value, it will cause the axon to FIRE, which means that a slightly different (but still ionically electrical) neural impulse will be generated along the axon, called an ACTION POTENTIAL.

And the original answer to this question was:

Neurons send vital messages to the brain so it can decide what to do.

Answer 2

They're the main functional unit of the Nervous System. (any impulse) Neurons are actually quite simple in function. Neurons receive electronic messages and transmit them throughout the body to other neurons in order to complete functions.

Answer 3

Nerves are bundles of axons and their sheaths of connective tissue that extend from the CNS to peripheral structures,

Nerves are responsible for stimuli communication and responce

The Central nervous system CNS

1. Brain
2. Spinal Cord

The Prephrial nervous system PNS

1. Cranial nerves, which arise from the brain
   • Sensory/ afferent transmits STIMULI from the sensory organs to the CNS
   • Motor/ efferent-transmits action potentials from the CNS to effector organs when a Stimuli is recieved causing some sort of reaction.
2. Spinal nerves, which arise from the spinal cord

If the sensory Stimuli was an itch on the tip of your nose the motor action potential generated would send your hand to your nose to scratch the itch.

Answer 4

Nerves receive signals meaning that they can respond to a stimulus. Once a stimulus is received by a nerve cell it converts it to a neural impulse which passes along the nerve. Nerves are able to transmit impulses along the length of the nerve cell in the form of an electrical signal.

Answer 5

they are sent to the brain and help you see pick up a phone and hear

Answer 6

Type your answer here... conductivity and selectivity