1. Describe the path of an electrical impulse as it moves through a neuron.

You must use

the words axon, axon terminal, dendrites, myelin sheath, nodes of Ranvier,
synapse, and neurotransmitters in your description.

The dendrites receive the sensory information (by the affront pathway). Then, the information transmits to
the axons (by the efferent pathway). The information in the axons are insulated by the myelin sheaths; the
Ranvier nodes separate them. The axon terminals at the end of the axon transmits the information to the
dendrites of another neuron (via synapses in which the neurotransmitters transfer).

2. Describe one way in which neurons are similar to other cells in the body and one
way in which they are different.

One way in how neurons are similar to other cells in the body is that a neuron and a
regular somatic cell have endomembrane systems. A difference between a neuron and a
body cell is the way of communication; the neuron cell uses synapses while regular
somatic cells use paracrine signaling.

3. In this activity, you read that there are billions of neurons in the human body that
vary in size and somewhat in structure. Suggest and then support a reason why the
body needs so many neurons.

The body needs many neurons in order to perform homeostasis. Homeostasis is the
internal management of conditions in the body. In order for homeostasis to work, there
needs to be some form of communication in order for some form of feedback
mechanism to work (which the neuron effectively does). In addition, there is 11 major
body systems in the body. The body systems need to work together in order to keep the
organism alive (which the neuron effectively does).
4. How does the structure of each type of neuron relate to its function in the nervous
system?
The structure of each neuron relates to its function in the nervous system by bipolar
neurons being associated with transferring information (has two axons and two poles),
unipolar being associated with receiving information (has only one pole and two axons),
multipolar being associated with movement (has many poles and only one axon), and a
pyramidal neurons associated with thinking (has many poles and axons).

Association neurons is another term for interneurons

5. How do you think a person would be affected if myelin on his/her neurons was
damaged or destroyed? Explain.
If the neuron’s myelin was damaged, a person would look like he/she is having a
seizure. This is because the electrical flow of sensory neurons would go all over the
place and trigger different motor neurons.

6. Reread the first paragraph of the Introduction. Describe the types of stimuli your
body is reacting to as well as the decisions you have to make. Do you think about
each of your responses or do they just seem to happen?
The types of stimuli that the body reacts to are sight, smell, sound, touch, taste, and
electrical. The decisions are made based on one’s perceptions or innate behavior on the
particular stimulus. There are some responses that are involuntary (I.e. Heart Beat) and
some that are voluntary (i.e. eating).