![]() ![]() Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disorder, involves a large-scale loss of the myelin sheath on axons throughout the nervous system. To understand how this works, let’s consider an example. The myelin sheath is crucial for the normal operation of the neurons within the nervous system: the loss of the insulation it provides can be detrimental to normal function. In some axons, glial cells form a fatty substance known as the myelin sheath, which coats the axon and acts as an insulator, increasing the speed at which the signal travels. The terminal buttons contain synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the nervous system.Īxons range in length from a fraction of an inch to several feet. These signals are transmitted electrically across the soma and down a major extension from the soma known as the axon, which ends at multiple terminal buttons. The neuron is a small information processor, and dendrites serve as input sites where signals are received from other neurons. The soma has branching extensions known as dendrites. The nucleus of the neuron is located in the soma, or cell body. This illustration shows a prototypical neuron, which is being myelinated. This membrane allows smaller molecules and molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules.įigure 1. A neuron’s outer surface is made up of a semipermeable membrane. Like all cells, neurons consist of several different parts, each serving a specialized function (Figure 1). Neurons are the central building blocks of the nervous system, 100 billion strong at birth. This section briefly describes the structure and function of neurons. Neurons, on the other hand, serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system. Glial cells provide scaffolding on which the nervous system is built, help neurons line up closely with each other to allow neuronal communication, provide insulation to neurons, transport nutrients and waste products, and mediate immune responses. Glial cells, which outnumber neurons ten to one, are traditionally thought to play a supportive role to neurons, both physically and metabolically. The nervous system is composed of two basic cell types: glial cells (also known as glia) and neurons. Learning how the cells and organs (like the brain) function, help us understand the biological basis behind human psychology. Psychologists striving to understand the human mind may study the nervous system. Explain how drugs act as agonists or antagonists for a given neurotransmitter system.Describe how neurons communicate with each other.Explain the role and function of the basic structures of a neuron.Drugs can act either as agonists or as antagonists for a given neurotransmitter system. Therefore, psychotropic drugs are prescribed in an attempt to bring the neurotransmitters back into balance. Often, psychological disorders involve imbalances in a given neurotransmitter system. If the signals received from other neurons are sufficiently strong, an action potential will travel down the length of the axon to the terminal buttons, resulting in the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse.ĭifferent neurotransmitters are associated with different functions. The dendrites contain receptors for neurotransmitters released by nearby neurons. Neuronal communication is an electrochemical event. Neuronal communication is made possible by the neuron’s specialized structures, like the soma, dendrites, axons, terminal buttons, and synaptic vesicles. While glia generally play supporting roles, the communication between neurons is fundamental to all of the functions associated with the nervous system. Glia and neurons are the two cell types that make up the nervous system. Ever wonder how your brain actually works? What exactly is going on inside of your small, wrinkly mass while you read this text? In this section, you’ll learn about the basics of neural communication in the brain, which is the brain’s way of sending messages to and from different regions in order to relay critical information about your body and its surroundings. ![]()
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