Understanding Neurons: The Building Blocks of the Nervous System

Neuron

A nerve cell; the fundamental unit of the nervous system.

A neuron, also known as a nerve cell, is a specialized cell that is responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system. Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system and are found in the brain, spinal cord, and throughout the body.

There are three main parts of a neuron: the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and other organelles responsible for the neuron’s metabolic functions. Dendrites are small branched structures that extend from the cell body and receive signals from other neurons. The axon is a long extension of the cell body that sends signals to other neurons or to muscles or glands.

Neurons communicate with each other through synapses, which are tiny gaps between neurons. When an electrical impulse reaches the end of an axon, it triggers the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synapse. The neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the dendrites of other neurons, thereby transmitting the signal to the next neuron.

Different types of neurons have different functions in the nervous system. Sensory neurons receive information from the environment and send it to the brain, while motor neurons transmit signals from the brain to muscles to produce movement. Interneurons, which are found in the brain and spinal cord, connect sensory and motor neurons and help integrate information for processing.

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