Nervusimpulzusok

Nervusimpulzusok, commonly referred to as nerve impulses or action potentials, are the fundamental units of communication within the nervous system. These are brief, electrical signals that travel along neurons, the specialized cells of the nervous system. The generation and propagation of a nerve impulse involve a complex interplay of ion movements across the neuron's cell membrane. When a neuron is stimulated, its membrane permeability to certain ions, particularly sodium and potassium, changes rapidly. This creates a transient electrical depolarization, which then propagates down the axon. The speed of nerve impulse transmission can vary significantly depending on the type of neuron and the presence of a myelin sheath, a fatty insulating layer that speeds up conduction. Upon reaching the end of the neuron, at a synapse, the electrical signal is typically converted into a chemical signal (neurotransmitter release) to communicate with the next cell, be it another neuron, a muscle cell, or a gland. These impulses are responsible for everything from sensory perception and motor control to complex cognitive functions.