Explain the nerve cell structure and function, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Nerve Cell Structure and Function?

Before studying the organization of the nervous system, we will look at the relationship between structure and function of nerve and associated cells. The typical nerve cell or neuron has a cell body containing the nucleus, and an elongated extension called an axon that carries electrical signals called impulses away from the cell body. The axon is frayed at the end to form many synaptic terminals that transmit the nerve impulse to a target cell in a contact space called a synapse. The nerve impulse is carried across the synapse by certain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemicals are enclosed in synaptic vesicles that fuse with the presynaptic membrane and are released in response to a nerve impulse that reaches the axon terminal. Neurotransmitters bind to the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell, which can be a muscle, a gland, or the terminals of another neuron that takes over to propagate the nerve impulse. After the impulse is propagated, enzymes in the synaptic space break down the remaining neurotransmitter chemicals.

Surrounding the nerve cell body are short, branched extensions called dendrites, that bind neurotransmitters released by other neurons or by sensory receptors, cells associated with the five senses - touch, vision, hearing, taste, and smell. Some sensory receptors are actually specialized neurons.

Axons of some nerve cells are surrounded by a protective sheath of membranous material called myelin, produced by accessory cells called Schwann cells. Myelin gives bundled nerves their white appearance. Myelin is not continuous along the axon, but the sheath is interrupted at regular intervals called nodes of Ranvier, where the nerve is unmyelinated.

 

 


Related Discussions:- Explain the nerve cell structure and function

Cryobiology, Cryobiology : This is the study of life at low temperature. Cr...

Cryobiology : This is the study of life at low temperature. Cryobiology is that branch of biology which studies the effects of low temperatures on living things. Cryobiology scienc

photosynthesis: light energy to synthesize , Photosynthesis happens in alg...

Photosynthesis happens in algae, green plants and photosynthetic bacteria. Its part is to catch solar energy and use this to drive the synthesis of carbohydrate from water and carb

Vitamins and minerals requirement in diabetes, Q. Vitamins and minerals req...

Q. Vitamins and minerals requirement in diabetes? The recommendation of vitamins and minerals is the same as for general population. However, lower levels of magnesium are ass

Define the stability of your favourite protein kinase, You measure the stab...

You measure the stability of your favourite protein kinase and find that half of the protein is degraded every 10 minutes. How might you test whether the protein is degraded throug

What are steroids, What are steroids? What are some examples of steroids wi...

What are steroids? What are some examples of steroids with a biological function? Steroids are lipids based in an angular combination of four carbon rings, three of them made o

Explain carbohydrates requirement during thyphoid, Explain carbohydrates re...

Explain carbohydrates requirement during thyphoid Carbohydrates: Carbohydrate intake should be liberal. This can be attributed  to: 1.  Repletion of glycogen stores. 2.

Proximal end of his right femur, In Reggie's case, he fractured the proxima...

In Reggie's case, he fractured the proximal end of his right femur, an integral component of his hip. Name the joint disorders that Reggie is more a risk of in (a) the short term a

Define recommended dietary allowance for vitamin a, Requirement and Recomme...

Requirement and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin A? Recommendations for adequate vitamin A intake based on the amounts needed to correct night blindness among vi

What is dry mass?, What is dry mass? When the biomasses are compared of...

What is dry mass? When the biomasses are compared often the concept of dry mass is used. The dry mass is the entire (total) mass less the water mass of an individual. The total

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd