Describe the structure and function of the neuron with a labeled diagram
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Solution
Neuron:
Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, with the ability to transfer information to various sections of the body.
Functions of the neuron:
Neurons are nervous system specialized cells that convey impulses throughout the body.
Dendrites and axons are lengthy extensions of the cell body that extend outward from the neuron.
Dendrites are extensions of the cell body or soma of a neuron that receive and convey signals back to the cell body.
The cell body expands into an axon, which is encased in myelin.
The myelin sheath acts as an insulator, preventing neurons from short-circuiting.
This keeps an impulse contained to a single neuron and prevents it from going wild.
The myelin sheath contains microscopic holes called Nodes.
On its route to the axon terminals, an impulse leaps from one node to the next.
At the terminals, depending on the neuron's nature, the impulse is chemically or electrically conveyed to the dendrites of the next neuron via a junction known as a synapse.
Description of the structure:
Dendrites- Dendrites are a branch-like structure that receives messages from neighboring neurons and allows them to be transmitted to the cell body.
Soma- Many organelles, including Nissl granules, are found in the soma of a neuron.
Axon–Axon is a tube-like structure that transports electrical impulses from the cell body to the axon terminals, where they are passed on to another neuron.
Nodes of Ranvier- These are areas of the brain where the myelin sheath is missing.
Axon terminal- The axonal terminals are designed to release the presynaptic cell's neurotransmitters.
Schwann cell- A Schwann cell wraps its plasma membrane concentrically around the inner axon to form a myelin sheath.
Myelin sheath- It is a fatty layer that surrounds the axon.
Nucleus- A neuron's nucleus is a membrane-bound oval structure found in the soma or body of the neuron.
