Nervous system

Answers to the Described Questions

Question 1

Neurons are a group of cells whose main function is to convey signals within the Central Nervous System (CNS). In order to accomplish this function effectively, the neurons produce certain chemical substances referred to as neurotransmitters. These compounds originate from one side of the gap in the synapse before joining with receptors on the other end. Accordingly, the conduction of signals from one neuron to another occurs due to the substitute of neurotransmitters (Sassone-Corsi & Christen, 2012). This conveyance occurs from the input terminal containing dendrite to the output subdivision located at the margin of the axon.

This basic conduction occurs as an action potential and forms the foundation of the transmission process. This process results in the absorption of ions by the receptor cell, an aspect that generates an electric potential between the two sides of the neuron. When the voltage between these regions attains a substantial intensity, an electric current diffuses through the cell membrane and reaches the axon. This process facilitates the release of the neurotransmitters into the synapse with the main aim of maintaining the signal conveyance. Accordingly, studies highlight the relationship between neuron firing patterns and behavior. For instance, the dopamine neurons located at the middle section of the brain fire in tonic and phasic modes (Sassone-Corsi & Christen, 2012). This characteristic modes control certain aspects of behavior through the generation of electric activities.

Question 2

Hereditability refers to the percentage of identifiable variations among a group of people with the main explanation of such situations being the concept of genetic variance. For instance, the cognitive performance of an individual is hereditary. This is because of the phenotypic resemblances between parents and their offspring. The gene variations exhibited in the marker loci is responsible for this similarity. For this reason, the IQ score of a parent is likely to be similar to that of his or her child.

In contrast, certain personality traits hardly have a relationship with one’s genetic composition. This makes such characteristics nonhereditary from parents. For example, one may acquire such characteristics as phobia from the surrounding environment. Although children can fear certain items from observing the behavior of their parents, such traits have minimal genetic influence (Sassone-Corsi & Christen, 2012). This explains the alteration of one’s personality traits from his or her parents’ attributes. This is because other internal and external factors may affect the development or transformation of one’s character. For this reason, describing a particular character based on its connection with the genotypic composition of an individual or parentage is complex. Nonetheless, it is evident that the genetic makeup of an individual is influential in his or her behavioral development.

Reference

Sassone-Corsi, P., & Christen, Y. (2012). Epigenetics, brain, and behavior. Heidelberg: Springer.