How is a neuron like atoilet for therhold and all-or none properties - Essay Example

How is a neuron like a toilet for threshold and all-or none properties? The structural and the functional unit of the brain stem is neuron. Neurons can be defined as the excitable nerve cells and their components which transmit signals through their synapses. It consists of a cell body which is known as the perikaryon and the processes. The processes which are present in a neuron are axons and dendrites. The dendrites and axons function specifically to transmit the nerve impulses in the body. The dendrites particularly receive the impulses and they convey the impulses to the neuron whereas the axon carries the impulse away from the neuron to its respective destination.

The neurons are stimulated when they reach a specific level which is known as the threshold. Every neuron has its own threshold on which it can be stimulated. Below the threshold the neuron is not stimulated enough to fire impulses to cause its desired effect. This is known as the all or none property followed by all the neurons of the body. The threshold and the all or none law can be compared to the toilet. When the toilet is in the normal position without any interaction it is known to be in the resting position.

This can be compared to the resting membrane potential of the neurons in which the neuron is not firing impulses. Similarly when the toilet has to be flushed the lever is to be pushed hard enough so that the flushing can begin. Same is the case with neurons which have a stimulatory threshold level which can only be achieved if the resting membrane potential has reached the threshold level. As the flush won’t work with the right power the neurons will also not work with the right stimulatory power.

When the process of flushing starts it reaches a peak when the water stops being drained after which the water is poured back in the toilet. The phase in which the flush starts is known as the depolarization phase of the neuron as the neuron has started firing impulses but soon after the action potential, the refractory period starts in which no impulses are fired by the neuron. This refractory period in the toilet can be witnessed in the break which occurs after the water has filled the toilet.

During the refractory period the flush won’t work again just like the neuron won’t work after it has completed its stage of repolarization. After a certain time the stage of depolarization can start again so that the neuron starts firing its impulses again. Same is the case in the toilet when the flush starts working after a certain time. Neurons have a similar act of firing like the flush in a toilet. The all or none principle applies to the toilet when one can start the flush with the right power or cannot if the right power is not applied.

Neurons also follow the same principle as they do not get stimulated until they get the right power. References Ganong, William F. Review of Medical Physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2005. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Guyton, Arthur C, and John E. Hall. Textbook of Medical Physiology. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2000. Print.