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242382721 neurons

242382721 neurons

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Neurons

The nervous system is made up of trillions of nerve cells, divided into two main groups:

neurons and neuroglia. Neurons are long, thin cells that generate and transmit electrical

signals called nerve impulses, and which together form a vast, high-speed communication

system. (Walker, 2003) A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the

nervous system. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body.

These highly specialized nerve cells are responsible for communicating information in both

chemical and electrical forms. (Cherry, n.d.)

Similarities and Differences

Neurons, since they are nerve cells, have similarities with other cells. Neurons and other

body cells both contain a nucleus that holds genetic information. They are both surrounded

by a membrane that protects the cell. The cell bodies of both cell types contain organelles

that support the life of the cell, including mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and cytoplasm.

Contrary to their similarities, they also have differences that make neurons unique. Unlike

other body cells, neurons stop reproducing shortly after birth. Because of this, some parts of

the brain have more neurons at birth than later in life because neurons die but are not

replaced. While neurons do not reproduce, research has shown that new connections

between neurons form throughout life. Neurons have a membrane that is designed to sends

information to other cells. The axon and dendrites are specialized structures designed to

transmit and receive information. The connections between cells are known as synapses.

Neurons release chemicals known as neurotransmitters into these synapses to

communicate with other neurons. (Cherry, n.d.)

Parts of a Neuron

(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS], 2014)

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Neurons have three basic parts: a cell body and two extensions called an axon (5) and a

dendrite (3). Within the cell body is a nucleus (2), which controls the cell’s activities and

contains the cell’s genetic material. The axon looks like a long tail and transmits messages

from the cell. Dendrites look like the branches of a tree and receive messages for the cell.

Hence, everything we think and feel and do would be impossible without the work of

neurons and their support cells, the glial cells called astrocytes (4) and oligodendrocytes (6).

(NINDS, 2014)

Axons

Dendrites

Take information away from the

cell body

Bring information to the cell

body

Smooth Surface

Rough Surface (dendritic spines)

Generally only 1 axon per cell

Usually many dendrites per cell

No ribosomes

Have ribosomes

Can have myelin

No myelin insulation

Branch further from the cell

body

Branch near the cell body

(Chudler, 2013)

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Neurons The nervous system is made up of trillions of nerve cells, divided into two main groups: neurons and neuroglia. Neurons are long, thin cells that generate and transmit electrical signals called nerve impulses, and which together form a vast, high-speed communication system. (Walker, 2003) A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body. These highly specialized nerve cells are responsible for communicating information in both chemical and electrical forms. (Cherry, n.d.) Similarities and Differences Neurons, since they are nerve cells, have similarities with other cells. Neurons and other body cells both contain a nucleus that holds genetic information. They are both surrounded by a membrane that protects the cell. The cell bodies of both cell types contain organelles that support the life of the cell, including mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and cytoplasm. Contrary to their similarities, they also have differences that make neurons unique. Unlike other body cells, neurons stop reproducing shortly after birth. Because of this, some parts of the brain have more neurons at birth than later in life because neurons die but are not replaced. While neurons do not reproduce, research has shown that new connections between neurons form throughout life. Neurons have a membrane that is designed to sends information to other cells. The axon and dendrites are specialized structures d ...
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