Describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.
Sample Solution
The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that can detect and respond to changes in their environment, allowing them to transmit signals from one part of the body to another, making up the pathways for electrical impulses. A neuron consists of three main parts: a cell body, dendrites and an axon.
Sample Solution
The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that can detect and respond to changes in their environment, allowing them to transmit signals from one part of the body to another, making up the pathways for electrical impulses. A neuron consists of three main parts: a cell body, dendrites and an axon.
The cell body is the central control center of a neuron which contains its nucleus as well as other organelles related to cellular metabolism such energy production. Attached to the cell body are several long branches called dendrites which receive incoming information from surrounding neurons and send it towards the cell’s nucleus via electrical impulses when triggered during synaptic transmission. The third component found within neurons is an axon – a long fiber like structure that transmits electrical signals away from its nucleus outwards towards other nerve cells or muscles fibers. Axons often contain proteins known as myelin sheaths which increases conduction speed by insulating these fibers.
When an external factor causes an action potential on a neuron, this triggers an electrical impulse -or “charge”- along its membrane creating what’s known as depolarization This then moves down through axon in form small electric pulses until it reaches end where neurotransmitters stored in synaptic vesicles release into synapses resulting net response based upon type chemical released whether inhibitory or excitatory . For example if excitatory release takes place next connected nerve fires off same process but opposite happens if inhibitory released thus stopping flow current further downstream .
