Question

Explain how neurons and neurotransmitters are involved in the completion of learning a foriegn language. Specifically, explain how each part or subpart is used in this activity. What specific neurotransmitters are used in this activity?

Answer 1

Chemicals called neurotransmitters are involved in thetransmission of impulses at these synapses. The axon terminals containvesicles filled with these neurotransmitters. When an impulse (actionpotential) arrives at the axon terminal, it stimulates the movement of the synaptic vesicles towards the membrane where they fuse with the plasma membrane and release their neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. The released neurotransmitters bind to their specific receptors, present onthe post-synaptic membrane. This binding opens ion channels allowing the entry of ions which can generate a new potential in the post-synaptic neuron. The new potential developed may be either excitatory or inhibitory.

Specificity of Neurotransmetter:;

• Presence of the chemical within the cell.
  
• Stimulus-dependent release.
  
• Action on postsynaptic cell.
  
• Mechanism for removal.