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

Name the nitrogenous waste excreted in the larval, What benefit does the se...

What benefit does the sea anemone get in the sea anemone-hermit crab facultative mutualism? Give an alternative term for this part of mutualism. Name the nitrogenous wast

Homo sapiens fossilis (cro-magnon man), Hom o sapiens fossilis (CRO-M...

Hom o sapiens fossilis (CRO-MAGNO N MAN) - Fossils found from Cro-Magnon, France by Mac Gregor (1868) Replaced Neanderthal man about 35.000 years ago Sharp nose

Approximate composition of human tissue, Approximate Composition of Human T...

Approximate Composition of Human Tissue Table gives the approximate composition of human tissue. We all know that carbon, oxygen, hydrogen are present in water and other organ

Define the role of vitamin d in the immune system, Define the Role of Vitam...

Define the Role of Vitamin D in the immune system? Immune responses that are, mediated by T-cells can be inhibited by tile large doses of calcitriol i.e. 1, 25 dihydroxycholec

Sonu, my question is what is phyletic lineage

my question is what is phyletic lineage

Embryology and histology, Embryology: Embryology (from Greek words embryon...

Embryology: Embryology (from Greek words embryon which means unborn embryo and logia which means study) is a branch of science which deals with the development of an embryo starti

Name the organism included in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, Name the organis...

Name the organism included in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. What are the components needed for this pure? Determine their role. Differentiate among inbreeding and heterosis. The

What is bioinformatics, The mathematical, statistical and computing methods...

The mathematical, statistical and computing methods that aim to resolve biological queries using DNA and amino acid sequences and related information is called as Bioinformatics.

Phylum, morphological characterstics of e histolytica

morphological characterstics of e histolytica

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