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

Noteworthy features of the nervous system of arthropods, Q. What are the no...

Q. What are the noteworthy features of the nervous system of arthropods? In arthropods the nervous system has more sophisticated sensory receptors with well-advanced cephalizat

Describe about postural changes in dynamic auscultation, Describe about Pos...

Describe about Postural Changes in Dynamic Auscultation? a) On sudden assumption of supine position from standing on sitting position or sudden passive elevation of both legs:

Difference between open system and closed system, DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN S...

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN SYSTEM AND CLOSED SYSTEM - S .No. C h arac t er O p en system C losed system

#title.examples of classes of vertebrates, how to explain an example from e...

how to explain an example from each class of vertebrate

Define about the food effects on drug metabolism, Define about the Food Eff...

Define about the Food Effects on Drug Metabolism? The general tendency of the process of metabolism is to transform a drug from a lipid- soluble to a more water-soluble compoun

Which carbon determines sugar is a d- or l- stereoisomer, If carbon 1 is th...

If carbon 1 is the carbonyl group of a 6-carbon aldose (aldohexose), which carbon determines if the sugar is a D- or L- stereoisomer? Select one: a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

Recent concerns of food safety, Normal 0 false false fal...

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

What does genetics have to do with biology, What does genetics have to do w...

What does genetics have to do with biology? Genetics is the study of the genes found in genetic material (ex. DNA). DNA is found in the nucleus of your cells. The most signific

How emulsion are formed, How emulsion are formed The most common method...

How emulsion are formed The most common method of preparing an emulsion is by mechanically dispersing one liquid phase in another by formation of small droplets. This takes pla

Explain the term- pedon and polypedon, Explain the term- pedon and polypedo...

Explain the term- pedon and polypedon The characteristics of soil do not change vertically downwards only, there are lateral variations also as soil is a three dimensional body.

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