Synapse

Pain can be an uncomfortable sensation that surges through our body that can range from mild to very painful. Although we don’t like to feel pain, it is a necessary occurrence in order to signal to the brain that we need to get away from the thing that is causing us the pain. In the previous paper, the journey from the nerves, to the spinal cord, and lastly to the brain was discussed. Information was sent through a multitude of action potentials from the afferent neuron to the 2nd-order neuron…

That man was Eric Kandal, who extracted neuron from the slug. Those two neurons are connected through a synapse. Stimulated a long term memory by stimulating a the sensory neuron. That resulted in new synaptic connections started to grow. Long term memory actually involves an anatomical change in the brain where new connections are being formed. The growth…

simplistic description, the glial cells are like the neuron maintenance cells, they are necessary to keep the neuron insulated and waste free, allowing the neuron to be more efficient in their job. “Glial cells also appear to influence the formation of synapses and to aid in determining which neuronal connections get stronger or weaker over time” Griggs, Richard A. (2014). Information is transmitted back and forth from the central nervous system (CNS) and brain by neurons, and glial cells. A…

The intricate reaction between the human’s physiological and psychological responses has been long disputed (Rowbotham, 2001) This ever changing discussion may be explained by the neuromatrix pain theory (Melzack, 1999). However, our understanding of the physiological response to a painful experience and its effects on the body has changed over the years. In the mid-17th century the pain theory was over simplified; nerve impulses travelled to the cerebral cortex in the brain, the more damage the…

In neuronal development, the general rule is that cells are generated in sites different from those they later reside in. The Nervous System is the master controlling and communicating system of the body. Electrical impulses act as signaling device; they are rapid, specific and cause immediate responses. They also use sensory receptors to monitor changes called stimuli. This is where gathered information creates sensory input. Integration is the processes and interprets sensory input which…

Corporal Punishment: Cruel and Unusual Corporal punishment is defined by Merriam-Webster as a punishment intended to cause physical pain on a person. This was the typical form of punishment used by slave owners. They would use this form of punishment to make the slaves fear them to keep the slaves under their control. They needed this amount of control to deter the slaves from revolting and causing an uproar because of the harsh ways they were treated. During that time in our history the slave…

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Cocaine speeds up the messages traveling between the brain and the rest of the body. The drug introduces a sense of exhilaration in the user, primarily by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the midbrain (Ericson). The initial surge of euphoria is followed by a crash. The crash creates the need for more and the body becomes dependent on the drug. The effects appear almost immediately after a…

It’s interesting to see the progression of weapons from the early beginnings to now. Most people believe that chemical warfare agents were first introduced during the World Wars. Interestingly enough, the concepts of these agents were developed as early as 600 B.C. They weren’t known as chemical warfare agents however; the techniques that were used mimic the action of these agents that are being used today. During the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens, the Spartan army used a mixture…

example, a study funded by the NIH found that a mutation to a gene called DISC1, which regulates several genes, causes “errant expression of genes known to be involved in synaptic transmission, brain development, and key extensions of neurons where synapses are located” ("Suspect Gene Corrupts Neural Connections," 2014). This aberrant expression has been linked with several mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The researchers then attempted to correct the…

They provide instant feedback; good or bad determined on how well you perform in the game. They can even help develop and strengthen synapses in the brain (Gentile). While all these are true, if applied to a violent video game, these findings can be catastrophic. Instead of being rewarded for doing good deeds, they are rewarded for violent behavior, murder, robbery, and other such things…