Neurons
Cells in the nervous
system are
called neurons. The neuron is an information processing and
transmitting cell that undermines all bodily functions. It is
estimated
that the human brain contains over 100 billion neurons, with each
neuron potentially communicating with hundreds of other neurons. This
vast interconnectedness allows simple neuronal activity to translate
into complex neuronal messages creating human behavior.
- A neuron is
quite different from other cells in the human body, however there are
similarities. The features that distinguish a neuron from other cells
are responsible for their unique activities. The basic structure of a
neuron includes a cell body (soma), dendrites, axon and axon terminal.
- The cell body
includes the machinery that produces the proteins as well
as other essential aspects of a cell.
- The dendrites serve
as chemical
receivers in that they contain receptors for certain chemicals that are
released by other neurons.
- The axon transports a
signal from the soma
to the axon terminal.
- The axon terminal
contains terminal buttons.
- When
the signal reaches a terminal button a chemical messenger, known as a
neurotransmitter, is released into the synaptic cleft. This small
gap
connects the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of
another. The neurotransmitter binds to the receptors located on
the dendrites. This is how neurons communicate.
NEURON
NEURALTRANSMISSION
Pictures contained in the web page
courtesy of
www.ablongman.com/carlson8e
http://www.med.harvard.edu/publications/On_The_Brain/Volume04/Number2/index.html
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/theneuron.html
