New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Neurones and synapses

I can describe the structures and functions of neurones and the synapses between neurones.

New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Neurones and synapses

I can describe the structures and functions of neurones and the synapses between neurones.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Neurones are specialised cells that transmit nerve impulses
  2. The common structures of neurones, including cell body and axon
  3. A myelin sheath on some neurones increases the speed of the nerve impulse
  4. Nerve impulses pass from one neurone to another across a gap called a synapse
  5. An impulse arriving at a synapse releases neurotransmitters that diffuse across the gap to receptors on the next neurone

Common misconception

There is usually a lot of confusion over the synapse and how the signal moves from electrical, to chemical, to electrical again. There are many new key words involved, which makes it even harder.

The synapse has been broken down into several stages with clear diagrams and carefully used key words. There are plenty of opportunities to practise using the terminology and explaining the process, including applying it to a real-world scenario.

Keywords

  • Neurone - A nerve cell which transmits electrical impulses between different parts of the body.

  • Axon - The part of a neurone which carries the signal.

  • Myelin sheath - A fatty coating on the neurone which insulates it.

  • Synapse - The junction between two neurones.

  • Neurotransmitter - A chemical transmitter which crosses the synapse and triggers the onward response.

Consider using a line of dominos vs a pair of dominoes with a heavy ruler balanced across the gap, to simulate the speed increase with a myelin sheath. Other physical demonstrations (like walking toe to toe vs leaping) are also memorable.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are nerve cells called?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: neurones, A neurone
Q2.
What is the role of the nervous system?
An image in a quiz
produce hormones
helps absorb nutrients
Correct answer: detect and react to changes
transport materials around the body
Q3.
Which of the following are effectors?
Correct answer: glands
nerve tissue
receptors
Correct answer: muscles
Q4.
Which of the following is not a stimulus?
chemicals in food or the air
pain
sound
light
Correct answer: nutrition
Q5.
Match the word to its meaning.
Correct Answer:receptor,Cells that detect a change in the environment.

Cells that detect a change in the environment.

Correct Answer:stimulus,A change in the environment.

A change in the environment.

Correct Answer:neurone,A nerve cell which transmits electrical impulses.

A nerve cell which transmits electrical impulses.

Correct Answer:effector,A muscle or gland which carries out a response.

A muscle or gland which carries out a response.

Q6.
Put these in order to show how a message moves through the nervous system, starting with detecting the stimulus.
1 - sensory receptor
2 - sensory neurone
3 - relay neurones in the CNS
4 - motor neurone
5 - effector

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the part of the cell to its name.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a,dendron

dendron

Correct Answer:b,cell body

cell body

Correct Answer:c,axon

axon

Q2.
Match the type of neurone to its function.
Correct Answer:relay neurones,Transmits electrical impulses between neurones within the CNS.

Transmits electrical impulses between neurones within the CNS.

Correct Answer:sensory neurones,Transmits electrical impulses from the receptor to the CNS.

Transmits electrical impulses from the receptor to the CNS.

Correct Answer:motor neurones,Transmits electrical impulses from the CNS to the effector.

Transmits electrical impulses from the CNS to the effector.

Q3.
What sort of tissue is the myelin sheath made of?
elastic
muscle
Correct answer: fat
nerve
Q4.
What effect does having a myelin sheath have on nerve impulses?
makes more signals
allows the signal to be interrupted
Correct answer: increases the speed of the signals
Correct answer: prevents interruption of the signal
slows the speed of the signal
Q5.
What are the chemicals called that diffuse across the synapse?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter
Q6.
Put these steps in order, to show how a nerve impulse passes from one neurone to another.
An image in a quiz
1 - The nerve signal triggers vesicles (packets) of neurotransmitters.
2 - The neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap.
3 - The neurotransmitters diffuse across the gap and bind to a receptor.
4 - The signal carries on.