Receptors, proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach, vary in shape, with different shapes “matching” different neurotransmitters. Once neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft, they travel across it and bind with corresponding receptors on the dendrite of an adjacent neuron. The synaptic cleft is a very small space between two neurons and is an important site where communication between neurons occurs. In healthy individuals, the neuronal signal moves rapidly down the axon to the terminal buttons, where synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft ( Figure 3.9). While some treatments may help to modify the course of the disease and manage certain symptoms, there is currently no known cure for multiple sclerosis. The resulting interference in the electrical signal prevents the quick transmittal of information by neurons and can lead to a number of symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, loss of motor control, and sexual dysfunction. Another disorder, multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disorder, involves a large-scale loss of the myelin sheath on axons throughout the nervous system. The disorder is associated with a variety of issues including severe cognitive deficits, exaggerated reflexes, and seizures (Anderson & Leuzzi, 2010 Huttenlocher, 2000). PKU, a genetic disorder discussed earlier, causes a reduction in myelin and abnormalities in white matter cortical and subcortical structures. 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. These gaps in the myelin sheath are known as the Nodes of Ranvier. The myelin sheath is not continuous and there are small gaps that occur down the length of the axon. 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 membrane allows smaller molecules and molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules.įigure 3.8 This illustration shows a prototypical neuron, which is being myelinated by a glial cell. 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 3.8). 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. This is important because it suggests that human brains are more similar to other primate brains than previously thought (Azevedo et al, 2009 Herculano-Houzel, 2012 Herculano-Houzel, 2009). For years, researchers believed that there were many more glial cells than neurons however, more recent work from Suzanna Herculano-Houzel's laboratory has called this long-standing assumption into question and has provided important evidence that there may be a nearly 1:1 ratio of glia cells to neurons. 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 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 body's cells and organs function can help us understand the biological basis of 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.By the end of this section, you will be able to:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |