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 common complications with spinal trauma patients, Define Common comp...

Define Common complications with spinal trauma patients? Common complications with spinal trauma patients include pressure sores or decubitus ulcers, hypercalciuria and renal s

List the requirements of implant materials, List the requirements of implan...

List the requirements of implant materials. a) Biologically compatibility: an ideal implant material will elicit mainly physiological reactions within the surrounding tissues (

What is the modern darwinist theory, In the time of Darwin the results of M...

In the time of Darwin the results of Mendel's research on biological inheritance had not been published, Genetics was not yet developed, neither DNA nor the concept of genetic muta

Explain recovery or anabolic phase of stress response, Explain Recovery or ...

Explain Recovery or Anabolic Phase of Stress Response? When wounds are closed and infection has resolved, repletion of lean tissue and fat stores along with restoration of stre

Laws governing ocular movements, Laws Governing Ocular Movements Herin...

Laws Governing Ocular Movements Hering's Law of Equal Innervation states that equal and simultaneous innervation flows from the brain to yoke muscles in all binocular movement

Show the apical view of transducer position, Q. Show the Apical View of Tra...

Q. Show the Apical View of Transducer Position? For the patient with dextrocardia transducer is kept on right chest with marker towards left side. Morphological parameters to

Groups of living beings that form the protist kingdom, Q. Which are the gro...

Q. Which are the groups of living beings that form the protist kingdom? The protist kingdom includes algae and protozoans. (Two groups of fungi with similar characteristics to

What is mitosis, What is mitosis? What is the importance of mitosis? Mi...

What is mitosis? What is the importance of mitosis? Mitosis is the process in which one eukaryotic cell separates into two cells identical to the parent cell (generally identic

Which compounds results from cyclization of glucose, Which of the following...

Which of the following compounds results from cyclization of glucose? Select one: a. alpha-D-glucopyronose b. beta-D-glucopyronose c. alpha-D-glucofuranose d. beta-D

Phenology of different species, Phenology of Different Species The phe...

Phenology of Different Species The phenology of different species present in a community may differ from each other significantly. It is these phenological changes which give

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