1b. Neurons & Nerve Signals
Your brain contains billions of nerve cells, or neurons, that are responsible for sending signals throughout your body. These signals relay important information and help process thoughts, movements, and feelings.
For example, if you stub your toe on a hard object, this information first travels to your brain. Your brain processes that you stubbed your toe, and then nerve signals travel back to your foot, causing you to draw back and feel pain. And this process all happens in less than a second!
Below, you will learn more about the process of nerve signals. Tap or click the numbered icons to learn more.
Signals move through a single nerve cell as an electrical charge
The nerve cells connect to one another at synapses
When the charge reaches a synapse, it causes small bursts of chemicals to release; these are called neurotransmitters
The neurotransmitter carries the signal to other nerve cells
This process happens from one nerve cell to another until the destination is reached