What effect does an electromagnetic pulse have on neural transmissions in the human body?

Answer 1

Nothing, to my knowledge. The nervous system doesn't work with electrical currents and circuits like a computer does. Instead, it's fueled by voltage potentials across the membrane of the cell. These potentials are caused by intentional imbalances of ions across the membrane, namely high potassium on the inside (though sodium and chloride ions play a part too).

When a nerve fires, channels open up in the axon, allowing the ions to flow through and flip the potential across the membrane. This depolarization triggers the next set of channels down the line, which depolarize and trigger the next, and so on and so forth. Rather than a current, think of it as a row of dominoes, with each ion channel setting off the next one down the line.

In many neurons, the axon is wrapped in a myelin sheath, which provides a barrier and insulates against a voltage potential. The myelin sheath has gaps in it, which have a very high density of ion channels. This effectively concentrates the ion channels and places gaps between them, causing the depolarization wave to 'hop' down the axon, greatly increasing its speed.

When an action potential reaches the end of an axon (a gap, called a synapse), it triggers the release of neurotransmitters. Different neurons will release different neurotransmitters, which will have different effects on the neuron on the other side of the synapse. Say that the main neuron is downstream from both neurons A and B (both connect to the main neuron). A releases a stimulatory neurotransmitter, while B releases a suppressive neurotransmitter. If A is more active than B, it will cause the main neuron to fire. If B is more active than A, it will prevent the main neuron from firing. This signaling is achieved through diffusion of neurotransmitters across the synapse. While the neurons are fixed in position, the synapse is a gap, and there is no direct connection between the two neurons.

To my knowledge, an EMP causes disruptions in the current along electrical circuits. Since the nervous system operates on different principles, there would be no real effect. Of course, if the EMP was strong enough, maybe it could cause an electrical current that would lead to electrocution (the same effect as getting zapped by a wall outlet or a really bad static shock), but I'm not sure if that's possible either (I'm a biologist, not a physicist).

Answer 2

it somewhat is an exciting question. A small pulse it somewhat is a uncommon prevalence (as quickly as a twelve months or maybe much less) could no longer do any harm. on the different hand, the e-m pulse generated in a nuclear blast is definitely no longer helpful. the place in between the substitute happens has no longer yet been revealed. A cellular telephone transmits e-m yet isn't commonly seen a pulse. nevertheless, it remains being debated to even if if using cellular telephones so on the factor of the concepts motives harm. My feeling is that there is a sturdy probability that e-m pulses administered on a properly-known foundation will harm unprotected human beings and different existence varieties. while you're searching for a technological information undertaking or doctoral dissertation, right this is your question.