So today…..I’m checking out how neurons interconnect .

And I’m looking at the synaptic joins between each neuron…

 

And I’m wondering….why have a crappy old chemical connection?…

 

Why not have a direct hard type of connection.

 

That would stop alcohol and the like from disrupting the purity of function.

 

Then I started to think in reverse….why is it important to make sure the purity of function is distorted by overall chemical changes…

 

You can see where I’m going with this….

Actually, there *are* a few purely chemical connections between nerves, but they've very rare. Synapses are superior in that they can be moved, they can have their thresholds altered, they can be 'primed' by other chemicals, and are generally more complex and versatile. This allows for greater plasticity in both the individual and evolutionary timescales.

 

Mokele

Oh, hi Mokie.

 

Interesting.

 

Will get back to you after I do some reading up in the Synaptic response to alcohol and other chemicals.

Mokele said it.

Also, in your reading, it might interest you to check out models of spike-timing dependent plasticity for an example of how neurons "wire together."