Neurons transmit information using “electrochemical energy that is produced by charged particles called ions to send neural signals” (Doyle-Portillo & Pastorino, 45). There is an internal flow of communication within each neuron as well as the passing of signals from one neuron to the next at the synapses. The neuron receives transmitted signals at the dendrites. These are extensions to the neuron’s main cell body surrounding its nucleus (44). After passing through the cell body the signal travels through the axon, much of which is protected by the myelin sheath. The axon then splits into axon branches with axon bulbs and synapses at the end.
The axon of the presynaptic (sending) neuron and the dendrite of the postsynaptic (receiving) neuron communicate at the synapses via neurotransmitters, which act as “chemical messengers that carry signals across the synapse” (45). The whole process usually repeats several times as signals travel internally from dendrites to axon bulbs with exchanges from one neuron to the next via neurotransmitters at the synapses.
Neurons are able to send signals due to the imbalance of chemical concentrations, such as the high concentration of K+ inside the neuron and high concentration of Na+ outside the neuron (46). Only ions that are small enough are able to pass through the ion channels. Consequently, the transmission of information between neurons essentially occurs due to the differing charges of chemicals (hence making it an electrochemical process).