Posted by IsoM on March 26, 2002, at 3:36:24
In reply to ISO, okay, trying ONE more time with this: » IsoM, posted by Janelle on March 26, 2002, at 1:13:49
Yes, the hose is the neuron. But remember, I said "water = message sent", the water is the message passing along, it's NOT the neurotransmitters. In the actual neuron, the neurotransmitter isn't the 'message'. It's simply the means to pass the message along.
The message travels through the neuron (water through the hose) by electrically charged ions (you can learn more about that later - not important now). The neurotransmitters are only to be found at the space between the neurons where they don't quite touch.
A garden hose isn't the best comparison because if all the hoses weren't tightly screwed to each other, the water (message) would leak out. Neurons don't actually touch each other but almost do (think of it like a brass connection between different hoses). That small gap or space between where neurons connect is the synapse. And that's where neurotransmitters act. They are the means to pass the message from one neuron to another.
Just digest that bit, if understandable, & when you feel comfortable with that, you can add more on.
poster:IsoM
thread:99715
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/100208.html