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Pill

Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence

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Direct Hit

Theme A - Unity & diversity

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Page Facing Up

Theme B - Form & Function

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Keycap Digit One

Theme D - Continuity & Change

🚀 The Big Picture: Your brain is like a massive control center, sending messages all over your body. How does it do it? Through neurotransmitters! Imagine neurotransmitters as tiny little messengers that have the super-important job of passing on messages from one neuron to another. It&rsquo;s like texting your friend, but inside your brain!

<ul>
	<li>What happens? A nerve impulse travels down the presynaptic neuron. It&#39;s like a train on its tracks, zooming towards its final stop: the presynaptic membrane.</li>
	<li>Fun fact: This is super quick, like the speed of a text message being sent!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>When the nerve impulse reaches the end of its journey, the presynaptic membrane gets &quot;excited&quot; (depolarized).</li>
	<li>Real-world example: Imagine getting super excited when you see a notification on your phone &ndash; that&#39;s the membrane getting depolarized!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>This excitement opens channels that allow calcium ions (Ca^2+) to rush into the neuron.</li>
	<li>Think of it as: When you see a sale sign at your favorite store, you quickly rush inside. Calcium does the same, but instead of a store, it&#39;s rushing into the neuron!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Calcium&#39;s entrance causes tiny bags (vesicles) filled with neurotransmitter to move and stick (fuse) to the presynaptic membrane.</li>
	<li>Imagine: It&#39;s like when you&#39;re so excited about a sale, you rush to the counter to check out your items!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Finally, the neurotransmitter is released into the space (synaptic gap) between neurons. This is done through a process called exocytosis.</li>
	<li>Real-world example: Think of it as popping a bubble wrap. Each pop releases a neurotransmitter into the gap!</li>
</ul>

🔍 Recap: The presynaptic neuron sends a nerve impulse. When it reaches the end, calcium ions enter. This causes vesicles to fuse with the membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the gap. Just like sending a text, the message is quickly delivered to the next neuron!

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Happy studying and remember - our brain is always buzzing with messages, and now you know one way it does it! 🧠💌🎈

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unlock the Secrets of Rapid Synaptic Transmission!

Table of content

Journey of a nerve impulse