Question

Explain how transmission of nerve impulse takes place.

Answer 1

Transmission of nerve impulse:

1. The transmission of a nerve impulse along a neuron from one end to the other takes place because of the electrical changes across the neurons.
2. Synapses are the nerve endings of neurons where the neural impulses are transmitted between each neuron.
3. They contain a pre-synaptic ending, a synaptic cleft, and a post-synaptic ending.
4. The neurotransmitters thus produced in the neuron, cross the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors in the postsynaptic ending.
5. They then stimulate an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron.
6. The membrane of an unstimulated neuron is first polarized which then creates a difference in electrical charge between the outside and inside of the membrane.
7. Polarization is established by maintaining an excess of sodium ions on the outside and an excess of potassium ions on the inside.