What is Neuron ?

hi

The Amazing Neuron: Facts about Neurons. Neurons are specific, unique kinds of cells in our bodies that carry information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are a core component of our nervous system, which includes both the brain and the spinal cord.

1. There are 4 major types of tissues in our body. One of them is the Nervous Tissue. The Nervous Tissue makes up the nerves, the spinal cord and the brain.

2. The Nervous Tissue is made mainly of two types of cells – the Neurons (nerve cells) and the Neuroglia or the Glial Cells. Glial Cells are integral part of the Nervous Tissue because they are support cells and are very necessary. However, we will keep Glial Cells for another article.

2. The Nervous Tissue is made mainly of two types of cells – the Neurons (nerve cells) and the Neuroglia or the Glial Cells. Glial Cells are integral part of the Nervous Tissue because they are support cells and are very necessary. However, we will keep Glial Cells for another article.

3. Neurons on the other hand are the primary structural and functional cells of the Nervous Tissue. They are highly specialized cells.

4. These Neurons are electrically excitable. This means that they get excited by electrical impulses.

They are designed for fast transmission of information in form of signals – both chemical and electrical in nature.

5. Neurons are major components of our brain, our central nervous system, our peripheral nervous system, our spinal cord and our autonomic ganglia.

There are 4 major types of tissues in our body. One of them is the Nervous Tissue. The Nervous Tissue makes up the nerves, the spinal cord and the brain.

6. There are Neurons of various sizes and shapes. However, a typical Neuron found in a vertebrate body such as humans, the structure of a Neuron can be generally broken down into four broad regions.

The Nervous Tissue is made mainly of two types of cells – the Neurons (nerve cells) and the Neuroglia or the Glial Cells. Glial Cells are integral part of the Nervous Tissue because they are support cells and are very necessary. However, we will keep Glial Cells for another article.

7. The four broad regions of a Neuron are: Soma, Dendrites, Axon and Synaptic Terminals. The whole of the Neuron remains wrapped up in a cell membrane.

The Nervous Tissue is made mainly of two types of cells – the Neurons (nerve cells) and the Neuroglia or the Glial Cells. Glial Cells are integral part of the Nervous Tissue because they are support cells and are very necessary. However, we will keep Glial Cells for another article.

8. The Soma is the cell body. It is enlarged and is pretty much the same as other cells that are found in a body.

These Neurons are electrically excitable. This means that they get excited by electrical impulses. They are designed for fast transmission of information in form of signals – both chemical and electrical in nature.

The Soma is responsible for carrying out all metabolic and protein synthesis activities of the neuron. It is this Soma inside which you can find:

Neurons are major components of our brain, our central nervous system, our peripheral nervous system, our spinal cord and our autonomic ganglia.

9. The Dendrites are small Cytoplasmic extensions of the Neurons.

There are Neurons of various sizes and shapes. However, a typical Neuron found in a vertebrate body such as humans, the structure of a Neuron can be generally broken down into four broad regions.

These Dendrites extend out in a tree-like fashion. These extensions are designed for receiving signals, which are transmitted towards the Soma.

The four broad regions of a Neuron are: Soma, Dendrites, Axon and Synaptic Terminals. The whole of the Neuron remains wrapped up in a cell membrane.

The Soma is the cell body. It is enlarged and is pretty much the same as other cells that are found in a body. The Soma is responsible for carrying out all metabolic and protein synthesis activities of the neuron. It is this Soma inside which you can find:

The nucleus of the cell.
Other cell organelles like the Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus, Endoplasmic Reticulum etc.

10. Then comes the Axon. It is also a Cytoplasmic extension but it is very long and not branched out like the Dendrites. The job of the Axon is to send signals away from Soma.

The Axon will however usually branch out just like the Dendrites. This branching out of the Axon is necessary for communicating with several target cells.