The Neuron

The soma (cell body) usually receives input from other neurons through dendrites. The cell body of a neuron typically contains the nucleus of the cell. Information travels from the dendrites to the cell body and then on to the axon. The axon transmits the output of the neuron to other neurons.

The cell body

The cell body, or soma, is the bulbous central part of the neuron that contains the nucleus. The main function of the cell body is to maintain the health of the neuron. If the cell body dies, the neuron dies.

The dendrites

The dendrites are the part of the neuron that recieves input from other neurons. The electrical impulses from these inputs are aggregated at the cell body, and if the sum of these inputs is above a certain threshold, an action potential is generated. This action potential is then transmitted down the length of the axon to the terminal buttons, where it is passed on to other neurons.

The axon

The axon is the part of the neuron that transmits the output to other neurons. It is a long, thin fiber that extends from the cell body and usually has a diameter of about one micrometer. The axon is surrounded by a thin layer of insulation called the myelin sheath. This sheath is made up of lipids and proteins and helps to speed up the transmission of signals by ensuring that electrical impulses are conducted efficiently.

The Myelin Sheath

The function of the myelin sheath

The myelin sheath is a layer of insulation that surrounds nerve fibers and helps to improve the transmission of electrical signals. When myelin is damaged, it can cause a variety of problems including difficulties with movement, coordination, sensation, and thought.

The structure of the myelin sheath

The myelin sheath is a layer of fat that coats and insulates the axon of a neuron. This layer of insulation allows electrical signals to pass quickly and efficiently from one neuron to another. Without the myelin sheath, electrical signals would be slowed down or even stopped altogether.

The Nodes of Ranvier

The nodes of Ranvier are small gaps between the myelin sheaths of neurons. The myelin sheaths are made up of Schwann cells, which wrap around the axons of neurons and provide insulation. The nodes of Ranvier are important because they allow for the propagation of electrical impulses along the axon.

The function of the nodes of Ranvier

The function of the nodes of Ranvier is to transmit the output of one neuron to another. The nodes are located at the points where the axons of one neuron meet the dendrites of another. When an action potential reaches a node, it causes a brief burst of electrical activity that propagates down the length of the axon and causes the release of neurotransmitters from the axon terminals.

The structure of the nodes of Ranvier

Nodes of Ranvier are unmyelinated regions of the axon of a neuron. In between the myelin sheaths are gaps called Nodes of Ranvier. The function of nodes of Ranvier is to act as a barrier to prevent the electrical signal from diffusing along the axon and to help the signal travel faster by increasing the surface area over which it can propagate.

The Synapse

The synapse is the small gap between two neurons. When the first neuron (presynaptic neuron) is excited, it releases chemicals (neurotransmitters) into the synapse. These chemicals bind to receptors on the second neuron (postsynaptic neuron) and make it excited. The postsynaptic neuron then transmits the signal to other neurons.

The function of the synapse

The synapse is the gap between two nerve cells, also called neurons, where electrical impulses are passed from one neuron to the next. The synapse is critical for neural communication, and it is the point at which information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.

Neurons are interconnected with each other via synapses, and information is passed from one neuron to the next through these connections. The synapse is essential for mental processes such as learning, memory, and perception.

The structure of the synapse

The synapse is the junction between two neurons, consisting of the presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft and postsynaptic terminal. The synaptic cleft is the space between the two neurons through which neurotransmitters are released and travel to the postsynaptic terminal.