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Neurons

Neurons are specialized cells that receive, conduct, and transmit electrochemical signals. They have three main parts - the cell body, dendrites which receive signals, and axons which transmit signals to other neurons or tissues. Neurons communicate via electrical impulses and chemical neurotransmitters released at junctions between neurons. There are different types of neurons based on their functions, including sensory neurons that transmit signals to the brain, motor neurons that transmit signals from the brain to muscles and glands, and interneurons that transmit signals within the central nervous system.

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186 views18 pages

Neurons

Neurons are specialized cells that receive, conduct, and transmit electrochemical signals. They have three main parts - the cell body, dendrites which receive signals, and axons which transmit signals to other neurons or tissues. Neurons communicate via electrical impulses and chemical neurotransmitters released at junctions between neurons. There are different types of neurons based on their functions, including sensory neurons that transmit signals to the brain, motor neurons that transmit signals from the brain to muscles and glands, and interneurons that transmit signals within the central nervous system.

Uploaded by

Erica Mae Mejia
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NEURONS

types and functions


Anatomy of Neurons
External Anatomy of Neurons
Internal Anatomy of Neurons
Neuron Cell Membrane
NEURONS

• “Nerve Cells”
• Cells that are specialized for the reception, conduction, and
transmission of electrochemical signals
• The adult human brain contains many neurons (approximately 100
billion)
The Structure of a Neuron
1. Cell Body or Soma
• Greek for “body”; plural: somata
• Contains the nucleus, ribosomes, and
mitochondria
• Covered with synapses on its surface

2. Dendrites
• Greek root word “tree”
• A branching treelike fiber that gets
narrower near their ends
• Collects information from other cells
and sends information to the soma
• Its surface is lined with specialized
sypnatic receptors
The Structure of a Neuron
3. Axons
• Greek word “axis”
• Transmits information away from the
cell body towards other neurons or
to the muscles and glands

Larger axons are enclosed by sheaths


of myelin produced by Schwann Cells

Narrow gaps in the myelin sheath


between Schwann cells are called
Nodes of Ranvier
Presynaptic Terminal/ Terminal Button
• Also known as an end bulb or button
• Axons releases chemicals that cross through the junction between
one neuron and the next

Neurotransmitters
• Chemicals signalled by the terminal buttons
• Which communicate other neurons across the spaces between
the cells known as synapses
Neurons Communicate Using Electricity and
Chemicals
Electrochemical Processes
- Nerves have a wide array of electrical and chemical (electrochemical)
variables
Two Types of Electrochemical Processes
1. The first involves activity within a neuron
2. The second involves neurotransmitter substances (chemicals) that
are releases from the axons of one neuron and act on neighboring
neurons
Resting Potential

A state in which the interior of the neuron contains a greater number of


negatively charged ions than does the area outside the cell
Action Potential

A change in electrical charge that occurs in a neuron when a nerve


impulse is transmitted
The Neurons maybe classified
according to their functions:
Sensory Neurons
(afferent)
These carry messages
towards the central
nervous system from the
receptors such as the eyes,
ears, and other sense
organs
Motorneurons
(efferent)
Are the connecting
neurons between the
sensory and motor
neurons.
Found in the brain and
spinal cord
Interneurons
There carry messages
from the central
nervous system to the
muscles and glands
3 Kinds
1. Neurons which receive impulses from the spinal cord and carry
them up to the brain
2. Neurons which transmit impulses from one area of the brain to
another area on the same hemisphere
3. Neurons which transmit impulses from one hemisphere of the brain
to another

The various complex connections which mediate our behaviour are


provided by the connector neurons
THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING

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