The structure and function of neural pathways
There are different forms that neural pathways can take:
- converging
- diverging
- reverberating
Converging pathways
Converging pathways involve impulses from several neurons coming together into one neuron. Converging pathways increase sensitivity to excitatory or inhibitory signals.
An example of a converging neural pathway would be the convergence of neurons from rods in the retina of an eye. This allows increasing sensitivity to low levels of illumination through summation (a series of weak stimuli that can trigger an impulse). .
Diverging pathways
In diverging pathways, impulses from one neuron split to travel along several neurons. As a result the original impulse is able to affect more than one destination at the same time, for example controlling several muscles in the hand so that the fingers can work together.
Reverberating pathways
In reverberating pathways neurons later in the pathway can link with earlier neurons which allows the impulse to travel through the pathway again. As a result of the reverberating pathway, repeated stimulation of the pathway is possible for repetitive activities such as breathing.