Question

short essay
describe how a neural network function. include the " use it or lose it" concept and the description of how individual cells work to transmit information.

2) you are driving a car. describe the functions of the various parts of your nervous system, including brain structures, are performing. include at least ten parts of the nervous system in your description.

Answer 1

Our body as nervous system responsible for everyday learning, action, reflexes, functions etc. Just as we can observe in computer processing, we have established communication system in our body for its sensing, reflex, action, etc. The communication in our body happens with the chemical process with help of basic unit neuron, where one neuron sends out chemicals called neurotransmitters and another picks it up. Unused neurotransmitter will be absorbed back into the neuron (reuptake). All these communications done through network of neural cells, this network is called neural network. We can define neural network as interconnected neural cells within the human body involving our nervous system and brain. Our reflex actions and sensations are all result of multiple communications between our nervous system and brain with the help of this neural network.

Let us consider one scenario where a sharp object fixed on the table and accidentally we touch the edge of sharp object with hand; we immediately pull back our hand. This reflex action is due to complex communication happened through neural network. Here, the sensory receptors hand skin activated and it sends information about the object's nature (harmful or helpful). This information is transmitted through neurons by firing the neurotransmitters from synapse to dendrites. The message is finally transmitted to brain, which checks with prior learning experience with similar event and sensory perceptions, and then it sends information to nervous system to take off the hand from the object resulting in reflex action.

Neural network is essential for our homeostasis, regular activities, responses. Neural network helps in sensing the water and nutrition level in cells and sending signal to brain, which results in our perception of thirst and hunger. If an individual affected with degeneration of brain cells, which is dementia, then the communication process may get hindered. Even though with pathology to brain cells, if we are using it regularly, the capacity of communication will not change, this phenomenon is known as 'use it or lose it.' Studies have revealed that active using of the nerve cells will maintain neural network in good condition even with physiologic degeneration, and if there is lack of usage, then functional ability of neural network gets diminished (Beth Azar, Monitor on Psychology, 2002, page 48). Let us consider one example: Regular exercises keep body's sensory and functional ability optimum in people even at late 70s compared to people who stopped exercising.