key term - Neuron

Definition

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body. Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system and are essential for various functions, including sensation, movement, and cognition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neurons have a cell body, dendrites, and an axon, which work together to transmit electrical signals.
2. The cell body, or soma, contains the nucleus and organelles necessary for the neuron's survival and function.
3. Dendrites are responsible for receiving and integrating signals from other neurons, while the axon transmits signals to other cells.
4. Myelination of the axon increases the speed of signal transmission by insulating the axon and allowing for faster, more efficient propagation of electrical impulses.
5. Neurons can be classified into different types based on their function, such as sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.

Review Questions

• Describe the main structural components of a neuron and their roles in signal transmission.
  • The main structural components of a neuron are the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and organelles necessary for the neuron's survival and function. Dendrites are responsible for receiving and integrating signals from other neurons, while the axon transmits electrical signals to other cells. The axon may be myelinated, which increases the speed of signal transmission by insulating the axon and allowing for faster, more efficient propagation of electrical impulses.
• Explain the role of synapses in neuronal communication.
  • Synapses are the junctions between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite or cell body of another neuron, where communication between neurons occurs. At the synapse, the presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters, which bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, causing the generation of an electrical signal that can be propagated along the postsynaptic neuron's dendrites and cell body. This synaptic transmission is essential for the integration and processing of information in the nervous system.
• Analyze how the different types of neurons contribute to the overall function of the nervous system.
  • Neurons can be classified into different types based on their function, such as sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Sensory neurons are responsible for transmitting information from the body's sensory receptors to the central nervous system, allowing us to perceive and respond to our environment. Motor neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to the muscles, enabling movement and muscle contraction. Interneurons, which are located entirely within the central nervous system, integrate and process information received from sensory neurons and relay it to motor neurons, coordinating the body's responses. The specialized functions of these different neuron types work together to allow the nervous system to perceive, process, and respond to various stimuli, ultimately enabling the body's complex behaviors and functions.

Related terms

Axon: A long, slender projection of a neuron that transmits electrical signals away from the cell body to other neurons or target cells.

Dendrite: Branched projections of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them towards the cell body.

Synapse:

The junction between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite or cell body of another neuron, where communication between neurons occurs through the release of neurotransmitters.