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 proper name for edta and what is it, What is the proper name fo...

What is the proper name for EDTA and what is it? EDTA is ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. It is a tough chelating agent. It has many uses containing: 1) Industrial cleaning

Determine the term - neuropsychology, Determine the term - Neuropsychology ...

Determine the term - Neuropsychology The neuropsychology of the various modalities and domains involves applications from the knowledge base concerning the domain or modality i

Red flowers is crossed with a white-flowered plant, A plant with red flower...

A plant with red flowers is crossed with a white-flowered plant of the similar species. All the seeds, when grown, produce plants with red flowers. Assuming that the flower colour

Explain about the lactose intolerance, Explain about the Lactose Intoleranc...

Explain about the Lactose Intolerance? Lactose is the name of the sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance, you must be aware by now, occurs when the body is unable to breakdow

Protein requirement during congestive cardiac failure, Q. Protein Requireme...

Q. Protein Requirement during congestive cardiac failure? Protein: The protein requirements remain the &me as healthy adult men and women, About 0.8 - lg of protein per kg

Bohr effect, Bohr Effect Another important influence is the pH. Increa...

Bohr Effect Another important influence is the pH. Increase in carbon dioxide or other acids lowers the pH of plasma and shifts the dissociation curve to the right. At high ca

Bio212, do you think the social and cultural environment of the 18th and 19...

do you think the social and cultural environment of the 18th and 19th centuries helped or hindered the study of microbiology in particular and science in general

Determine the weiss theory of fibroosseous fixation, Weiss's Theory of Fibr...

Weiss's Theory of Fibroosseous Fixation Weiss' theory stated that there is a fibro-osseous ligament formed between the implant and the bone and this ligament can be considered

Apsirin determination, Indirect determination: By determining the weight...

Indirect determination: By determining the weight of the filler on the dried filter paper you can calculate the weight of aspirin in each tablet: weight of acetylsalicylic ac

What is dry mass, What is dry mass? When biomasses are compared often t...

What is dry mass? When biomasses are compared often the method of dry mass is used. The dry mass is the total mass less the water mass of an individual. The total mass is also

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