Neuron: Structure And Function

• A neuron, or nerve cell, is the fundamental unit of the nervous system responsible for processing and transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.
• Neurons are the building blocks of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body.
• While there are various types of neurons with specialized functions, they all share a common structure:

Key Parts of a Neuron

Cell Body (Soma):

• Contains the nucleus with genetic material and essential organelles for the neuron’s function.

Dendrites:

• Short, branch-like projections that receive signals from other neurons or sensory cells and transmit them to the cell body.

Axon:

• A long projection that transmits electrical signals (action potentials) away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Myelin Sheath:

• A fatty layer insulating the axon, increasing the speed of signal transmission, formed by glial cells.

Nodes of Ranvier:

• Gaps in the myelin sheath that allow rapid signal conduction through saltatory conduction.

Axon Terminals:

• Branches at the end of the axon that form synapses with other neurons or target cells, converting electrical signals into chemical signals (neurotransmitters).

Axon Hillock:

• The site where action potentials are initiated based on incoming signals.

Synaptic Terminals:

• Release neurotransmitters to transmit signals across synapses.

Synaptic Cleft:

• The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released for communication.

Neurotransmitter Receptors:

• Bind neurotransmitters to initiate a response in the receiving cell.

This structure allows neurons to effectively transmit information throughout the nervous system.

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