NERVES AND ITS

FUNCTION
GROUP 5
NEURONS
also called as nerve cells
a cell that is electrically excitable that connects to other cells via synapses
1
responsible for absorbing sensory information, directing our muscles with motor commands,
and converting and relaying electrical impulses at each stage along the way
PARTS OF NEURONS
Cell Body
also referred as soma
preserves structural
integrity of neuron, houses
genetic material, and
supplies energy to power
operations.
Axon
also referred as nerve fiber
carries nerve impulses away
from cell body
Dendrites
fibrous roots that branch out
from the cell body
dendrites receive and
process signals from the
axons of other neurons
Neurons can have more than
one set of dendrites, known
as dendritic trees.
TYPES OF NEURONS
 TYPE OF NEURONS
Unipolar
Usually only found in invertebrate
species
have one axon only
Bipolar
have two extensions extending from
the cell body
mostly found in retina of the eye
(detects light, communicates with
the brain to produce vision.)
Multipolar
most common form of neuron in
the central nervous system
can transfer the most information
between cells
Pyramidal
have one axon but several dendrites
to form a pyramid type shape
largest neuron cells and are mostly
found in the cortex (part of the
brain responsible for conscious
thoughts)
Purkinje
massive, intricately branched, flat dendritic
trees, giving them the ability to integrate
large amounts of information and learn by
remodeling their dendrites
play pivotal roles in coordination, control,
and learning of movements
GLIAL CELLS
Glia are non-neuronal cells in the central
nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the
peripheral nervous system that do not produce
electrical impulses. They are also known as glial
cells (gliocytes) or neuroglia. Neuroglia account
for more than half of the volume of neural
tissue in our bodies.

It is a type of cell that helps neurons by

providing physical and chemical support as well
as maintaining their environment. Glial cells,
which are found in both the central and
peripheral nervous systems, are sometimes
referred to as the nervous system's "glue," as
well as neuroglia or simply glia.
 FIVE TYPES OF GLIAL CELLS IN YOUR CNS:
1). Astrocytes

The astrocyte or astroglia is the most common type of glial cell in the CNS.
The "astro" part of the name refers to the cells' projections, which give them
the appearance of being star-shaped.

2). Oligodendrocytes
Oligodendrocytes are formed by neural stem cells. Oligodendrocytes are made up of a few Greek
terms that mean "cells with several branches." Their main function is to help information move faster
along axons in the brain.

3). Microglia
Microglia are very small glial cells ("micro" means small). They serve as the brain's own specialized
immune system. Because the blood-brain barrier separates the brain from the rest of your body, it
requires its own immune system.
4).Ependymal Cells
Ependymal cells make up the thin membrane that lines the spinal cord's central canal and the brain's
passageways (ventricles) (ependyma). They also produce cerebrospinal fluid and play a critical role
in the blood-brain barrier.

5). Radial Glia

Radial glia are thought to be a type of stem cell. This type of cell has the ability to generate new cells.
Stem cells are the "parents" of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the developing brain.
 2 Types of Glial Cells in PNS are:
1) Schwann Cells
Schwann cells are named after the physiologist who discovered them, Theodor Schwann. They function
similarly to oligodendrocytes in that they provide myelin sheaths for axons. Schwann cells, on the other
hand, are found in the PNS rather than the CNS.

2) Satellite Cells
Satellite cells are so-called because of the way they surround specific neurons, with several "satellites"
forming a sheath around the cellular surface. Neurons with satellite cells form ganglia, which are clusters
of nerve cells in the autonomic nervous system and sensory system.
MYELIN SHEATH
are specialized layers that surround some
neurons' axons. Myelin sheaths are
1
generated by oligodendrocytes in the CNS
and Schwann cells in the PNS. Chemical composition

It shields and safeguards the axons and Approximately 40% of water

quickens the transmission of nerve 60-70% lipids

impulses. For quick nerve impulse 15-25% protein

conduction, nodes of Ranvier are formed by

the gaps left between the myelin sheath.
MYELINATED AXONS
those axons that are protected by a myelin sheath.
When compared to unmyelinated axons, these myelin-
sheathed axons are less susceptible to environmental
damage and have a higher nerve impulse rate.

 UNMYELINATED AXONS
There is no myelin sheath covering the axons.
These axons typically have a diameter of less than
one micron. They go by the name non-myelinated
axons as well. They transmit nerve impulses at a
slow rate, and unmyelinated axons run the risk of
losing neural impulses.
COMPARISON OF MYELINATED AND UNMYELINATED AXONS
 ORGANIZATION OF
NERVOUS TISSUE
Because of the positioning and organization of the neurons and glial cells, the color of the
nervous tissue varies.

Gray matter White matter

contains clusters of the cell bodies of neurons
and their dendrites, which have very little myelin.
Gray matter clusters further inside the brain are
known as nuclei, while gray matter on the
surface of the brain is known as the cortex in the
CNS.
The whitish-colored myelin coating and bundles
of parallel axons make up the white matter.
Conduction channels or nerve tracts are
formed by white matter in the CNS.
The PNS's white matter is made up of axonal
bundles and related connective tissue, which

together make up nerves.

PNS contains gray matter. In the PNS, a cluster of

neuron cell bodies is called a ganglion.

ELECTRICAL
SIGNALS AND
NEURAL PATHWAYS
 RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
The uneven distribution of charges in a dormant or resting cell is referred to as the resting
membrane potential.

Every cell has electrical characteristics. Most cell membranes are polarized because the interior
of most of them is negatively charged while the exterior is positively charged.

(1) A higher concentration of k+ immediately inside the membrane, (2) a higher concentration of
Na+ immediately outside the cell membrane, and (3) greater permeability of the cell
membrane to k+ than to Na+.
 TYPES OF ION CHANNELS
Leak channels
are always open. As the name implies, the ions
can thus leak through the membrane along the
gradient of their concentration. Ions diffuse via
leak channels to establish the membrane
potential while a cell is at rest.
channels, which, when activated, can alter the
Gated channels
Are closed until opened by specific signals.
Voltage-gated channels are opened by a
change in membrane potential, whereas
chemically-gated channels are opened by
neurotransmitters or other substances. The
action potential is caused by the gated
membrane potential.

The sodium-potassium pump (Na+ -K+ pump) is needed to maintain the higher concentration of
Na+ outside the cell membrane and K+ within to counteract the continual leaking of ions across
the membrane.
ACTION POTENTIAL
Muscle and nerve cells are excitable cells, meaning
they respond to stimuli by changing their resting
membrane potential. Gated channels can alter the
permeability properties of the cell membrane,
shifting the membrane potential as a result.

When the inside of the cell membrane becomes

more positive it is called depolarization.

when an action potential is created by

depolarization and repolarization.
Hyperpolarization occurs when the charge on the
cell membrane briefly exceeds the resting
membrane potential near the end of repolarization.
 SYNAPSE
derived from Greek word "syn" (together) and "hapsis" (joining) in present tense; "haptein" (to
clasp/join) for future tense
are regions where the axon's terminal branches are attached close to but not in contact with
another neuron's dendrites.
synapses carries information from one neuron to the next by joining together neurons.
SYNAPSE
REFLEXES
A reflex is an uncontrollable movement that
occurs almost instantly in response to a stimuli.
Reflexes function as a form of survival
mechanism that enable us to react quickly to
changes in the environment.
REFLEXES
REFLEXES
NEURAL PATHWAYS
In a nutshell, a neural pathway is a network of
neurons that transfer messages from one section
1
of the brain to another. Neurons are classified into
three types: motor neurons, which control muscles,

sensory neurons, which are stimulated by our

senses, and inter-neurons, which connect neurons.

The information we receive is processed by these

linked neurons. They are what allow us to interact

as well as feel emotions and feelings. They form

our memories and allow us to learn.

REFERENCES:

http://howmed.net/physiology/action-potential/
https://alevelbiology.co.uk/notes/myelinated-and-unmyelinated-
axons/#:~:text=to%20Unmyelinated%20axons.-,What%20are%20Unmyelinated%20Axons%3
F,known%20as%20non%2Dmyelinated%20axons
http://medcell.org/systems_cell_biology/nervous_system_lab.php
Daltrey, D. (2017, August 26). What are neural pathways? Great Minds Clinic Blog; Great
Minds Clinic. https://www.greatmindsclinic.co.uk/blog/what-are-neural-pathways/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-glial-cells-and-what-do-they-do-
4159734#:~:text=Glial%20cells%20are%20a%20type,as%20neuroglia%20or%20just%20glia.
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/reflexes.html#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20if%20you%20
put,ball%20is%20thrown%20your%20way.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003292.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/neurons#anatomy