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Neuron 3

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79 views

Neuron 3

Uploaded by

api-225258224
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Neuron:

Building Block of the Nervous System

What is the nervous system?


The nervous system is the body system that controls voluntary and involuntary actions and responses.
The nervous system is made up of two parts: 1) Central Nervous System: The brain and spinal cord 2) Peripheral Nervous System: All the other nerves

What is a neuron?
A neuron is a specialized cell that makes up the nervous system Neurons allow the body to send information in the form of electrical and chemical signals Like all other cells, a neuron has a nucleus, a membrane, and various organelles. However, a neuron also has components that make it special!

Cell body/soma--contains the nucleus and other organelles Dendrite--short and very branched extension of the cell body that receives signals Axon--long, thin extension of the cell body that sends signals

The axon is wrapped with the myelin sheath which provides insulation for the electrical signal traveling down the axon. In between the myelin, there are gaps, called the nodes of Ranvier

A synapse is the gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to send signals across a synapse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=-SHBnExxub8&feature=fvwp

Speed of Neural Conduction


Neurons can transmit information at different speeds: Pain can travel as slow as ~1/mph Touch can travel as fast as ~250/mph

1. Label the four structures on the neuron below:

neuron axon dendrite cell body/soma node of Ranvier myelin sheath synapse

2) What kind of signal travels along a neuron? Circle one. Electrical Chemical Mechanical

3) What kind of signal is released in the synapse? Circle one. Electrical Chemical Mechanical

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