Animal Form And Function

Neuron

Topics: 1. Introduction to Neuron

2. Types of Neuron
3. Neuron Communication

Submitted by:

Muhammad Asif (bsf2100982)

Muhammad Husnain (bsf2100853)
Muhammad Naeem Khan (bsf2100798)

Submitted to:

Dr. Fatima Sughra

Dated:

Bs Zoology 3rd Semester

(Morning)
Division of Science and Technology
University of Education Township Campus Lahore
Introduction of Neuron:

Neurons (also called neurons or nerve cells) are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system,
the cells responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, for sending motor commands
to our muscles, and for transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between

Where are the neuron located?

In vertebrates, the majority of neurons belong to the central nervous system, but some reside in
peripheral ganglia, and many sensory neurons are situated in sensory organs such as the retina and
cochlea.

Functions of Neurons:

Neurons (also called neurons or nerve cells) are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system,
the cells responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, for sending motor commands
to our muscles, and for transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between.

Types of Neurons:

1) Sensory Neurons

2) Interneurons

3) Motor Neurons

Sensory Neuron:

Sensory neurons are the nerve cells that are activated by sensory input from the environment - for
example, when you touch a hot surface with your fingertips, the sensory neurons will be the ones firing
and sending off signals to the rest of the nervous system about the information they have received
Functions of Sensory Neurons:

Sensory neurons are the nerve cells that are activated by sensory input from the environment - for
example, when you touch a hot surface with your fingertips, the sensory neurons will be the ones firing
and sending off signals to the rest of the nervous system about the information they have received

Interneurons:

Functions of Interneurons:

As the name suggests, interneurons are the ones in between - they connect spinal motor and sensory
neurons. As well as transferring signals between sensory and motor neurons, interneurons can also
communicate with each other, forming circuits of various complexity.

Motor Neurons:

Motor neurons are a specialized type of brain cell called neurons located within the spinal cord and the
brain. They come in two main subtypes, namely the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons.
The upper motor neurons originate in the brain and travel downward to connect with the lower motor
neurons.

Functions of Motor Neurons:

Motor neurons of the spinal cord are part of the central nervous system (CNS) and connect to muscles,
glands and organs throughout the body. These neurons transmit impulses from the spinal cord to
skeletal and smooth muscles (such as those in your stomach), and so directly control all of our muscle
movements.

Neuron Communication (Synapse)

Introduction:

Synapses were discovered by Emil du Bois-Reymond in 1877 and named in 1906 by Charles

Sherrington, who derived the word “synapse” from the Greek terms “syn-” (together) and “haptein” (to
clasp).

Definition:

“The junction between axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of other neuron where
information from one neuron to is relayed (handed over) to another neuron is called Synapse.”

Structure of Synapse:

1. Synaptic Cleft:

The neurons not in direct contact at a synapse there is a gap called a synaptic cleft.

2 .Presynaptic neuron:

A neuron which carries and impulse towards a synapse is called presynaptic neuron.
3. Postsynaptic neuron:

A neuron which receives the impulse after it crosses the synapse is called a post synaptic neuron.

Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission:

Synaptic Transmission:

The movement of impulse across the synapse is called synthetic transmission.

 It takes place in the formation of message which is transmitted across the synapse in the form of
chemical messengers called neurotransmitter.
 The exams usually have several rounded synaptic knobs at their distal ends which dendrites lack
called synaptic vesicles.
 An action potential arrives at the synaptic knob.
 Calcium channels open in the presynaptic membrane.
 As the calcium in concentration inside the bulb is lower than the outside calcium ice rush in.
 As the calcium concentration increases synaptic vesicles move towards the membrane.
 The neurotransmitter vehicles fuse with the plasma membrane of the transmitting cell.
 The fused vehicles release their neurotransmitter molecules diffuse into the synaptic cleft the
released neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across the cleft and bind to receptor molecules are
the postsynaptic cell surface membrane.
 Binding of neurotransmitters to the post synaptic neuron receptors open some channels and
allows sodium ions to diffuse across the postsynaptic membrane.

 As a result post synaptic membrane depolarize and action potential is generated brings the
membrane potential towards the threshold level it is called as excitatory postsynaptic potential
(EPSP).

 One of the neurotransmitters have acted on the postsynaptic membrane they are immediately
broken down by enzymes like Acetylcholine is hydrolyzed by acetylcholineterase and adrenalin
by monoamine oxidase.