Nervous System: Neurons

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Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system; also they are the basic functional units of the nervous system. Neurons generate electrical signals called action potentials, which allow them to quickly transmit information over long distances. All neurons have the same basic parts. They are made of 3 basic parts. The control centre known as the cell body. The second major part is the axon which is the nerve fiber. The last part that integrates the whole structure is the dendrites. Neurons' main role is to transmit information throughout the whole body. The whole structure of a neuron is responsible for the transmission process to occur. Neurons use electrical signals and chemical messengers to transmit information to the adjacent neuron, …show more content…

The shape of a neuron is determined by the job it does. The axons of some neurons are shorter than 1 millimeter, while axons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the foot may reach 1 meter long. All types of neurons have the same structure, yet they have different roles. Neurons in the human nervous system are divided into 3 classes: Sensory neurons, Motor neurons, and Interneurons. Sensory neurons gather information about what is going inside and outside of the body ending the process by sending these data to the central nervous system so it can be processed. Motor neurons are the ones who gather data from other neurons and convey commands to the muscles, organs and glands. Interneurons are only found in the central nervous system, the main role is to connect one neuron to another. They receive signals either from the sensory neurons or other interneurons, and transmit them to either motor neurons or other interneurons. For instance, if you picked up a hot coal, the signal from the sensory neurons in your fingertips would travel to interneurons in your spinal …show more content…

Firstly, to receive signals. Secondly, neurons process incoming information. Thirdly, communicate signals to target cells. When a signal reaches the axon of a certain neuron; prepared to be transmitted to the dendrites of the next neuron, it should pass by a link or a bridge called synapses. At most synapses and junctions, information is transmitted in the form of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. When an action potential travels down an axon and reaches the axon terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from the cell. Neurotransmitter molecules cross the synapse and bind to membrane receptors on the adjacent cell. Other synapses are electrical; in these synapses, ions flow directly between cells. A single neuron can’t do very much by itself, and nervous system function depends on groups of neurons that work together. Individual neurons connect to other neurons to stimulate or inhibit their activity, forming circuits that can process incoming information and carry out a response. Neuronal circuits can be very simple, and composed of only a few neurons, or they can involve more complex neuronal

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