ALPHABETICAL BRAIN™ VOCABULARY HUMANIST FAMILY BRAIN STUDY DETAILS ABOUT YOUR NEURONS #2 September 1, 2020 WHAT ARE YOUR NEURONS? AND WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT? Your neurons are specialized brain cells that make it possible for the many physical structures of your body to communicate with each other and also create your consciousness. They are the basic building blocks of your brain and nervous system. They make up about 20% of the cells in your head. The other 80% (glial cells and bone cells and blood cells) are cells that protect your neurons and support the functions of your body's nervous system. Your neurons are able to send and receive biochemical currents (ionic signals/impulses) all around your brain and up and down your body, but only in one direction within each neuronal pathway. All aspects of your many memory systems depend upon the smooth functioning of all your neurons and all 1,000 trillion synapses (or connecting switches). Typically, as many as 10,000-15,000 dendrites are attached to the cell bodies of all your 100-200 billion neurons. But there can be as few as one dendrite attached to a single cell body. Your neurons make it possible for you to communicate with yourself and others by communicating with each other via exchanging neurotransmitters across a tiny gap called a synapse. This fact is what makes the flexibility or neuroplasticity (plasticity) of your brain possible. All of your neurons are connected to each other by your synapses. They relay biochemical signals through an electro-chemical transduction process known as potentiation (or long-term potentiation). This phenomenal signaling process is known as synaptic plasticity in general and potentiation (long-term potentiation) specifically regarding the biochemical current (electro-chemical process). This biochemical process ultimately makes possible your unique willpower and adaptable self-identity. The potentiation process is explained in the paired flash cards and the Details essay for Brain Idea #8 about POTENTIATION. NOTE: See in context: dendrites #3, axons #4, nucleus of a neuron #5, glial cells #6, synapses #7, potentiation #8, connectome #9, plasticity #10, cerebrum #11, and prefrontal cortex #12. Printable PDF Form DETAILS ABOUT YOUR NEURONS #2 (for your own editing and memory consolidation) RECOMMENDATION: You may print this pdf version and read it and edit it by adding or deleting ideas. Then, you can read your edited version of these ideas according to a reinforcement schedule. This strategy can help you take advantage of the power of the spaced-repetition method of memorization. Such deep introspection can strengthen your willpower and change your adaptable self-identity to increase your self-esteem. REMEMBER ALWAYS: You are your adaptable memory! instantly go to: FACT CHECKER ABOUT NEURONS #2 or instantly return to: NEURONS: BRAIN FLASH CARD #2 or instantly return to: LIST OF 15 FREE BRAIN FLASH CARDS produced by Infinite Interactive Ideas™