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

Define depolarization of the neuronal plasma membrane, Q. How is the depola...

Q. How is the depolarization of the neuronal plasma membrane generated? How does the cell return to its original rest? When the neuron receives a stimulus by the permeability o

Explain alkaline butt -carbohydrate utilization pattern test, Explain Alkal...

Explain Alkaline Butt -carbohydrate utilization pattern test? Alkaline slant (red) and alkaline butt (red) or no change (orange-red) butt- Instead of carbohydrates, peptone in

Describe bentham and hookers system, Q. Describe Bentham and Hookers System...

Q. Describe Bentham and Hookers System? Bernard de Jussieu (1699-1776) tried to classify the plants in Royal Garden, Paris. During this exercise he developed a system of classi

Which of the groups is not ionizable, Which of the following groups is NOT ...

Which of the following groups is NOT ionizable? Select one: a. Guanidinium b. Imidazole c. Phosphoryl d. Amine e. Aldehyde

Stock concentration of dopamine, a) A cat has just arrived to the veterinar...

a) A cat has just arrived to the veterinary clinic with low blood pressure. The cat weighs 5 kg, and as the on call Vet you want to use a bag of saline to prepare a dopamine drip f

Imaginal discs, Imaginal Discs In the holometabolous larva, there are ...

Imaginal Discs In the holometabolous larva, there are two cell populations: (1) The larval cells that are used for the larval structures and (2) The imaginal disc and th

How is the nervous system of nematodes organized, How is the nervous system...

How is the nervous system of nematodes organized? Where are the neural chords located in their body? Roundworms have a ganglial nervous system with an anterior neural ring sho

Composition of body fluids, Composition of Body Fluids All body fluids...

Composition of Body Fluids All body fluids - plasma, interstitial and intracellular have one common feature i.e. they are formed mostly of water. You would be amazed to know t

Explain the manifestations of iron deficiency anaemia, Explain the Manifest...

Explain the Manifestations of Iron Deficiency Anaemia? • Paleness of conjunctiva • Paleness of tongue • Paleness of mucosa of soft palate • Low haemoglobin • Swelling of

Energy flow - ecosystem, Energy Flow - Ecosystem Our world is a solar-...

Energy Flow - Ecosystem Our world is a solar-powered system, and green plants are the entry gates of energy into ecosystem. The total incoming solar energy, only a very small

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