Neuron Communication Summary
Neuron Structure – The 3 types of neurons are: Motor Neurons, Inter neurons, and Sensory Neurons. These 3 types all perform different tasks that involve sending signals. All these neurons consist of the same basic parts that include Soma/Cell Body, Nucleus, Dendrites, Axon, Myelin Sheath, Axon Terminals, Synaptic Ending, and Schwann Cells.
Nucleus: provides the energy and instruction to carry out the functions
Dendrite: Responsible for receiving and processing information from other neurons and receptors and conducting the information towards the cell body
Soma/Cell Body: Maintains the cell body and makes sure the neuron is functioning efficiently
Axon: Carries neurons message to other areas of the body
Myelin sheath: Covers the axon and allows electrical impulses to move quickly
Axon Terminal: forming connections with other cells
Node of Ranvier: the gap in the Myelin Sheath that occurs between the gaps of Schwann Cells. It allows fast electrical impulses to be sent along the axon’s.
Synaptic Endings: change electrical impulses created by the cell into activity in muscle fibres
Schwann Cells: Wraps around the axon: Action potential moves from node to node along the cell
Neuron Function –
The basic function of a neuron is to transmit and process information. They receive, send, and pass on signals allowing the nervous system to do its job.
Motor Neurons – Transmit signals from the brain to muscles for movement
Inter Neurons – Connect sensory neurons and motor neurons, helping process and use information within the nervous system.
Sensory Neurons – Detect and transmit sensory information from the body to the brain, allowing us to perceive and understand the environment.
Resting Potential –
Resting potential is the baseline electrical charge of a neuron when it is not actively sending or receiving signals.
During this time the neuron stays stable in anticipation for the next signal.
Refractory Period –
The refractory period is a brief period of time following an action potential, during which a neuron is temporarily unresponsive to further stimulation.
The neuron is unresponsive to stimulation while it recovers and resets the ability to generate action potential
How does action potential move along the neuron fibre?
An action potential is created when positively charged ions move in and out of channels in the axon membrane. It travels along the axon at a steady speed. Next comes depolarization, which causes an imbalance of ions in the axon membrane. This opens up pores, allowing positive sodium ions to flow in. Finally, repolarization occurs when channels open, allowing sodium ions to leave the axon. This triggers depolarization in the next segment of the axon, since depolarization is triggered from the axon receiving some form of strong stimulus, or signal.
Synapse Structure –
Synapse Function – How is signal sent from “axon of sending neuron” to “dendrite of receiving neuron”?
The axon of sending neuron sends a signal and when it gets the end of the axon, action potential causes synaptic vesicles to allow the neurotransmitter into the synaptic gap. The neurotransmitter then diffuses through the gap and binds to the receiving neuron
How does the receiving neuron determine whether or not it should send action potential?
The neuron categorizes incoming signals as either excitatory or inhibitory based on the neurotransmitter it receives. If the signal is received as excitatory, it triggers an action potential in the receiving neuron. If the signal is received as inhibitory, it doesn’t send an action potential in the receiving neuron.
Cite of Image –
Janghu, P. K. (2018, July 5). Synapses – definition, types and structure , anatomy QA. Anatomy QA. https://anatomyqa.com/synapses-types-and-structure/