Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

45. Nervous System

Neurons and Action Potentials

General Biology

45. Nervous System

Neurons and Action Potentials

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Multiple Choice

Which one of the following best describes how neurons transmit messages to one another?

By physically connecting their axons to dendrites, allowing cytoplasmic flow between cells

By using hormones that travel through the bloodstream to reach target neurons

By releasing neurotransmitters across a synaptic cleft to bind to receptors on the next neuron

By directly passing electrical impulses through gap junctions in all cases

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the structure of a neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information in the nervous system. They consist of three main parts: the cell body (soma), dendrites (which receive signals), and axons (which send signals).

Step 2: Learn about the synapse. A synapse is the junction between two neurons where communication occurs. The axon terminal of one neuron is separated from the dendrite or cell body of the next neuron by a small gap called the synaptic cleft.

Step 3: Explore how neurons communicate. Neurons transmit messages by releasing chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles in the axon terminal and are released into the synaptic cleft when an electrical signal (action potential) reaches the terminal.

Step 4: Understand the role of neurotransmitters. Once released, neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to specific receptors on the membrane of the receiving neuron (postsynaptic neuron). This binding can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron, depending on the type of neurotransmitter and receptor involved.

Step 5: Clarify why the correct answer is 'By releasing neurotransmitters across a synaptic cleft to bind to receptors on the next neuron.' This mechanism is the primary way neurons communicate in most cases. The other options are incorrect because neurons do not physically connect their axons to dendrites, do not use hormones for direct communication, and do not rely solely on electrical impulses through gap junctions in all cases.