NERVOUS SYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Nervous systems receive sensory input, interpret it, and send out appropriate commands
Neurons are the functional units of nervous systems
A neuron maintains a membrane potential across its membrane
A nerve signal begins as a change in the membrane potential
The action potential propagates itself along the neuron
Neurons communicate at synapses
Chemical synapses make complex information processing possible
A variety of small molecules function as neurotransmitters
Neural plasticity is the capacity of the nervous system to be remodeled, especially in response to its own activity
Many drugs act at chemical synapses