ALPHABETICAL BRAIN™ VOCABULARY DETAILS ABOUT SYNAPSES Brain Flash Card #8 April 24, 2016 WHAT ARE YOUR SYNAPSES AND WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT? BRAIN SCIENCE FACTS What is the purpose and function of your synapses? The function of your synapses is to make possible the transmission of biochemical currents or signals (ionic impulses) all around your brain and also up and down your body. It is helpful to simplify the most complex three pounds of matter in the universe (your brain) by integrating the idea of your synapses with the overall concept of the global connectivity of your brain's structures and their functions. Your brain's signaling process is caused by the way your neurons and your synapses are connected at the microscopic quantum level of human existence by a complicated biochemical process and your memories are formed by synaptic plasticity in a process known as long-term potentiation. During the signaling process, sodium and potassium molecules exchange charged ions through hundreds of vesicles at synaptic clefts (gaps) in the membranes of the thousands of synapses that attach to thousands of neurons, or the attachment centers of bodily organs. Your synapses are the trillions of electro-chemical junctions or biochemical switches that allow the 100 billion neurons in your brain and nervous system send signals to and from your senses and to and from your many bodily organs and ultimately to make possible your cosciousness. Your brain's signaling process is caused by the way your neurons and your synapses are connected at the microscopic quantum level of human existence by a complicated biochemical process and your memories are formed by synaptic plasticity in a process known as long-term potentiation. During the signaling process, sodium and potassium molecules exchange charged ions through hundreds of vesicles at synaptic clefts (gaps) in the membranes of the thousands of synapses that attach to thousands of neurons, or the attachment centers of bodily organs. NOTE: See also neurons #2, dendrites #3, axons #4, nucleus #5, glial cells #6, potentiation #7, connectome #9, plasticity #10, cerebral cortex #11, and prefrontal cortex #12. Printable PDF Form DETAILS ABOUT YOUR SYNAPSES #8 (for your own editing and memory consolidation) RECOMMENDATION: Print this PDF version and read it. Underline or highlight with colors the most important new brain ideas to save them in your long-term memory. Then read your mashup of these ideas in a few hours and then in a few days to take advantage of the spaced-repetition method of learning. instantly go to: FACT FINDER LIST OF BOOKS ABOUT SYNAPSES #8 or instantly return to: SYNAPSES: BRAIN FLASH CARD #8 or instantly return to: ALPHABETICAL BRAIN™ VOCABULARY INDEX produced by Infinite Interactive Ideas™