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

What is the significance of axial skeleton, What is the significance of Axi...

What is the significance of Axial skeleton? The bones which make up skeleton of the main body axis of vertebrates. It comprise the cranium, vertebral column, and rib cages, How

Pollination, how pollination occurs in Salvia?

how pollination occurs in Salvia?

What is st heart rate slope, Q.What is ST Heart Rate Slope? Correcting ...

Q.What is ST Heart Rate Slope? Correcting ST depression for heart rate, seems to be based on second physiological principles and has been proposed by a number of investigations

Gorgonids, Gorgonids yield chemicals like prostaglandins, medically useful ...

Gorgonids yield chemicals like prostaglandins, medically useful for birth control, prevention of peptic ulcers, treatment of asthma, regulation of blood pressure, etc. Sponges are

Describe the role of vntrs in linkage analysis, Question 1: Show applic...

Question 1: Show applications of Bioinformatics in pharmacogenomics. Expand FASTA and BLAST. List out any 10 applications of Bioinformatics in pharmacogenomics Expand

Determine the excitation threshold concerning neurons, How different are th...

How different are the concepts of action potential, resting potential and excitation threshold concerning neurons? Action potential is the maximum positive voltage level achiev

What is drugs, What is drugs? Intravenous access must be established. A...

What is drugs? Intravenous access must be established. Although administration of drugs through a central vein is ideal in a low cardiac output situation, it is rarely possible

Give an example of structural protein, Give an example of each of the follo...

Give an example of each of the following types of proteins: a. Enzyme b. Structural protein c. Motor protein

Hydrophilicity plot, Hydrophilicity Plot is a computer plot which checks t...

Hydrophilicity Plot is a computer plot which checks the relative summed hyrophobicity or hydrophilicity of adjacent amino acid sidechains (usually within a moving window of about

Organization in non-reduced embryo sacs , Organization in non-reduced embry...

Organization in non-reduced embryo sacs The fate of a nucleus in the embryo sac depends upon its position. Many irregularities in the disposition of nuclei in the early polar

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