Transcript

Let's talk about memory. You've heard of memory foam, it's a material that retains imprints when pressure is applied. You've also heard of memory found in computers or jump drives. This memory is digital data stored as a result of electronic encoding. But what is human memory and how is it created? Memories are representations of past experiences, and the encoding of these memories depends on a structure in the brain called the hippocampus. Before we talk about the hippocampus, let's first talk about neuronal communication. Your brain consists of over 100 billion cells called neurons.

These neurons work by communicating with each other using electrical and chemical signals. The electrical signal is called an action potential, which travels down the length of an axon. These occur very fast, most lasting less than just five milliseconds. Once the action potential reaches the axon terminal, it causes the release of neurotransmitters. These are chemical messengers that are able to cross the synapse and carry the signal to the next neuron, where they then initiate a new action potential. This is how neurons communicate.