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Structure of Neuron

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information throughout the body. They consist of three main parts: dendrites, which receive messages; the cell body, which contains the nucleus; and axons, which send electrical impulses to other neurons. Synapses are the contact points where neurons connect and can vary in type, influencing whether the transmission is excitatory or inhibitory.

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32 views2 pages

Structure of Neuron

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information throughout the body. They consist of three main parts: dendrites, which receive messages; the cell body, which contains the nucleus; and axons, which send electrical impulses to other neurons. Synapses are the contact points where neurons connect and can vary in type, influencing whether the transmission is excitatory or inhibitory.

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rashidnazeer9411
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Structure of Neuron

Neuron Definition
“Neurons are the fundamental unit of the nervous system specialized to transmit information to
different parts of the body.”
Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system. They receive and transmit signals to
different parts of the body. This is carried out in both physical and electrical forms. There are
several different types of neurons that facilitate the transmission of information.

Neuron Structure

A neuron varies in shape and size depending on its function and location. All neurons have three
different parts – dendrites, cell body and axon.

Parts of Neuron
Following are the different parts of a neuron:

Dendrites

Dendrites also extend from the neuron cell body, but they are responsible for receiving messages
from other neurons.
Dendrites, which look like tree branches, collect information to bring back to the neuron. Each
dendrite's end is a contact point that allows one neuron to connect with another. These contact
points are called synapses.

Cell Body
The cell body of neuron contains the nucleus. The nucleus contains our genetic information. It
also includes the cytoplasm, which is the fluid that houses the majority of cellular material within
the neuron.
Axon

An axon is a long, narrow connecting line that snakes away from the cell body to send electrical
impulses to other neurons. Through these impulses, axons are responsible for the active
transmission of information throughout the entire body.

Axons look like long tails. They branch into many smaller branches that reach towards the axons
of other neurons.

Synapse
The synapse itself is the site of transmission from the pre-synaptic neuron to the post-synaptic
neuron. The structures found on either side of the synapse vary depending on the type
of synapse:
Axodendritic
A connection formed between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another. These tend to
be excitatory synapses.
Axosomatic
A direct connection between the axon of one neuron to the cell body of another neuron. These
tend to be inhibitory synapses.
Axoaxonic
A connection between the terminal of one axon and another axon. These synapses generate serve
a regulatory role; the afferent axon will modulate the release of neurotransmitters from the
efferent axon.

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