A Basic Explanation of How Neurons Communicate with Each Other

How we think, feel, sense, learn and memorize things, or basically know how the human brain functions or dysfunctions is not something we can easily comprehend until we learn and understand how exactly neurons communicate with each other.

A neuron (nerve) is basically a bundle of axons situated outside the Central Nervous System (outside the brain or spinal cord). This bundle of axons is referred to as a pathway or tract. The main function of neurons is to continuously gather information about the internal state and external environment of a person, carefully evaluate this information, and coordinate activities critical to the situation and the individual’s needs.

How do Neurons Connect with Each Other?

Basically, neurons connect by means of nerve impulses.

A nerve impulse is the transmission of coded signal from a specific stimulus along the neuron membrane from the point where it originally started. These nerve impulses can pass from one cell to another, creating a chain of information within a network of neurons.

The nerve impulses carried by the nerve cells are passed on to other nerve cells at gaps or junctions known as synapses. The impulses may be either directly transferred at electrical synapses or carried across the gap (a gap is created where there is no physical link between adjacent neurons) by neurotransmitters.

The human brain uses over 50 different neurotransmitters and the signals carried by some of these transmitters excite (make it more likely to fire a signal itself) their target cell while other slow down their activity (make it less likely to fire a signal itself).

Basically, using neurotransmitters allows the central nervous system to alter the way information is processed and passed on. In other words, neurotransmitters make it possible for the nerve impulses of one cell to influence those of another, thus allowing the neurons to communicate with each other.

Neuron Response

Neurons respond to various inputs depending on the pattern of activity and how recently a signal has been fired. Basically, each neuron acts like a pattern recognizer whose main responsibility is to respond to patterns of inputs from other neurons. According to scientists, a neuron might respond (fire) when you immediately recognize a familiar face, smell coffee, or remember something.

Surprisingly, when everything is working fine, activity in neurons takes place without us being aware. It’s more like an “unconscious activity.” However, a small part of neuron activity is said to compose your conscious thought process.

The main function of the nervous system is to control and coordinate body function, and also enable your body to respond to and promptly act on the external environment. Therefore, learning how neurons communicate with each other is the key to having a deeper understanding of the basic operation of your nervous system at a cellular level.