• Question: I find the Nerve Cell the most interesting cell. I would like to know what the reaction would be if a certain chemical came into contact. What would be the result of a chemical that comes into contact with a Nerve Cell?

    Asked by Nadi14 to Ceri, Marikka, Matt, Rob, Sally on 15 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Ceri Dare

      Ceri Dare answered on 15 Nov 2014:

      Well, it depends what chemical it is! To talk to other nerve cells, then nerve cells release chemicals called neurotransmitters. When these chemicals reach the next nerve cell, it gets excited and sends an electric signal along its length. There’s a picture with more details here: http://www.patient.co.uk/education/depression

    • Photo: Robert Hampson

      Robert Hampson answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Nerve’s are pretty cool!

      It depends where you put the chemical on the nerve cell as well as what chemical you are using.

      Neurones have receptors for specific chemicals at the end of their short hairy dendrites. Then at the end of their long axons they can release these specific chemicals. Some use a chemical transmitter called dopamine (they are called dopaminergic neurones). If you release dopamine on their dendrites, then the neurone will release a load of dopamine at the end of its axon.

      If you put any other chemical anywhere else, it wouldn’t really have any effect other than straight forward chemistry. For example, an acid would damage and burn the cell…

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