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 of the following best describes how neurons convey information using both electrical and chemical signals?

Neurons generate action potentials in the dendrites, which are then converted directly into muscle contractions.

Neurons transmit electrical impulses along their axons, and at synapses, these impulses trigger the release of neurotransmitters that carry the signal to the next cell.

Neurons rely solely on chemical diffusion through gap junctions to transmit information.

Neurons use only electrical signals to communicate, with no involvement of chemical messengers.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the structure and function of neurons. Neurons are specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit information. They consist of dendrites (which receive signals), a cell body, and an axon (which sends signals).

Step 2: Learn about action potentials. Neurons use electrical signals called action potentials to transmit information along their axons. These are rapid changes in membrane potential caused by the movement of ions (e.g., Na⁺ and K⁺) across the cell membrane.

Step 3: Explore synaptic transmission. At the end of the axon, the electrical signal reaches the synapse, a junction between two neurons or between a neuron and another cell (e.g., muscle cell). Here, the electrical signal triggers the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.

Step 4: Understand the role of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the target cell, initiating a response in the next cell. This is how neurons use chemical signals to communicate.

Step 5: Compare the options provided in the problem. Based on the above understanding, the correct description is: 'Neurons transmit electrical impulses along their axons, and at synapses, these impulses trigger the release of neurotransmitters that carry the signal to the next cell.' This highlights the dual use of electrical and chemical signals in neuronal communication.