NEURONAL EXCITABILITY Meaning and
Definition
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Neuronal excitability, also known as nerve excitability, refers to the ability of nerve cells, or neurons, to generate and transmit electrical impulses or signals. It is a fundamental property of neurons that allows them to respond to stimuli and communicate with other cells in the nervous system.
Neurons are electrically excitable cells that can generate action potentials, which are rapid changes in electrical voltage caused by the movement of ions across their cell membranes. Neuronal excitability is crucial for various physiological processes such as sensory perception, motor function, and information processing in the brain.
The excitability of neurons is primarily determined by the balance of ions, particularly sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl-), across the neuronal membrane. When neurons receive a stimulus, such as a chemical neurotransmitter release or a sensory input, the permeability of the cell membrane changes, allowing ions to flow in and out. This alteration in ion flow results in depolarization or hyperpolarization of the neuron, which can trigger or inhibit the generation of action potentials, respectively.
Factors such as the strength and duration of the stimulus, as well as the previous activity of the neuron, can modulate the neuronal excitability. Additionally, various pathological conditions or neurological disorders can also alter neuronal excitability, leading to abnormal electrical activity in the nervous system.
Overall, neuronal excitability is a critical aspect of neurophysiology, enabling neurons to generate and propagate electrical signals, forming the foundation for the complex functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Common Misspellings for NEURONAL EXCITABILITY
- beuronal excitability
- meuronal excitability
- jeuronal excitability
- heuronal excitability
- nwuronal excitability
- nsuronal excitability
- nduronal excitability
- nruronal excitability
- n4uronal excitability
- n3uronal excitability
- neyronal excitability
- nehronal excitability
- nejronal excitability
- neironal excitability
- ne8ronal excitability
- ne7ronal excitability
- neueonal excitability
- neudonal excitability
- neufonal excitability
- neutonal excitability
Etymology of NEURONAL EXCITABILITY
The etymology of the word "neuronal" can be traced back to the Greek word "neuron", which means "nerve". It refers to the long, slender cells that transmit information in the nervous system.
The word "excitability" comes from the Latin verb "excitare", which means "to call forth" or "to rouse". In the context of neuronal excitability, it refers to the ability of nerve cells to respond to various stimuli and generate electrical impulses, leading to communication and transmission of signals in the nervous system.
Therefore, the term "neuronal excitability" combines the Greek root "neuro-" (related to nerves or neurons) with the Latin word "excitability" to describe the capacity of nerve cells to be activated and generate electrical activity.
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