It is the axon that propagates the nerve impulse, which is communicated to one or more cells. That single axon can branch repeatedly to communicate with many target cells. Neurons are usually described as having one, and only one, axon-a fiber that emerges from the cell body and projects to target cells. But what makes neurons special is that they have many extensions of their cell membranes, which are generally referred to as processes. The cell body contains the nucleus and most of the major organelles. Parts of a NeuronĪs you learned in the first section, the main part of a neuron is the cell body, which is also known as the soma (soma = “body”). The three-dimensional shape of these cells makes the immense numbers of connections within the nervous system possible. An important part of the function of neurons is in their structure, or shape. They are responsible for the electrical signals that communicate information about sensations, and that produce movements in response to those stimuli, along with inducing thought processes within the brain. Neurons are the cells considered to be the basis of nervous tissue. Neurons are important, but without glial support they would not be able to perform their function. Ongoing research pursues an expanded role that glial cells might play in signaling, but neurons are still considered the basis of this function. Glial cells, or glia, are known to play a supporting role for nervous tissue. They are electrically active and release chemical signals to target cells. They are responsible for the computation and communication that the nervous system provides. Neurons are the primary type of cell that most anyone associates with the nervous system. Nervous tissue is composed of two types of cells, neurons and glial cells. List the glial cells of the PNS and describe their function.List the glial cells of the CNS and describe their function.Identify the different types of neurons on the basis of polarity.Describe the basic structure of a neuron.
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
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