Physiology

of
nerve cell

Ali Shamyar
Medical Doctor
Sub-titles:

1-structure of a typical neuron

2-review of action potential

3-action potential transmission

4-neuromuscular junction
1-Like the heart, lungs, and stomach, the nervous system
is made up of specialized cells.

2-These include nerve cells (or neurons) and glial

cells (or glia).

3-Neurons are the basic functional units of the nervous

system, and they generate electrical signals
called action potentials, which allow them to quickly
transmit information over long distances.

4-Glia are also essential to nervous system function, but

they work mostly by supporting the neurons.
1.Most differentiated cells
in the body.
2.Neurons develop from
ectoderm.
3.Proteins (neuropeptides)
are synthesised in the cell
body.
4.They are modified in the
ER and Golgi complex and
exported along the axon by
cytoskeleton.
In humans and other vertebrates, the nervous system can be
broadly divided into 2 sections:

1-The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the
spinal cord.

It is in the CNS that all of the analysis of information takes place.

2-The peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of the

neurons and parts of neurons found outside of the CNS, includes
sensory neurons and motor neurons.

Sensory neurons bring

signals into the CNS, and
motor neurons carry
signals out of the CNS.
The cell bodies of some
PNS neurons, such as the
motor neurons that
control skeletal muscle
(the type of muscle found
in your arm or leg), are
located in the CNS.

These motor neurons have

long extensions (axons)
that run from the CNS all
the way to the muscles
they connect with
(innervate).
The cell bodies of other
PNS neurons, such as the
sensory neurons that
provide information about
touch, position, pain, and
temperature, are located
outside of the CNS, where
they are found in clusters
known as ganglia.

The axons of peripheral

neurons that travel a
common route are bundled
together to form nerves.
* The cell body is the metabolic center of the cell,
consisting of energy producing systems and where
macromolecules are synthesized to keep the cell
alive, maintain its structure and allow it to function
appropriately.

There are different types of cell bodies depending on

the neuron :
1- Unipolar :
The cell body here is located on one end and has a single axon.
Unlike the other cells, unipolar cells lack dendrites.
2-Bipolar :
are located in the middle and have a single axon and dendrite
on either end.
3-Pseudounipolar :
connected to the axon and dendrite by a tubular projection –
as such, it is not directly connected to the two.
The axon also splits into two branches at its end.
4- Multipolar :
This is the type of cell body that is commonly depicted in many books.
Arising from the cell body are dendrites (branched) while the axon
extends from one side of the cell body.
Based on their roles, the
neurons found in the human
nervous system can be
divided into three classes:

1-Sensory neurons:
Sensory neurons get
information about what's
going on inside and outside
of the body and bring that
information into the CNS so
it can be processed.

For instance, if you picked

up a hot coal, sensory
neurons with endings in
your fingertips would
convey the information to
your CNS that it was really
hot.
2-Motor neurons:
Motor neurons get
information from other
neurons and convey
commands to your
muscles, organs and
glands.

For instance, if you

picked up a hot coal, it
motor neurons
innervating the muscles
in your fingers would
cause your hand to let go.
3-Interneurons:
Interneurons, which are found
only in the CNS, connect one
neuron to another.

They receive information from

other neurons (either sensory
neurons or interneurons) and
transmit information to other
neurons (either motor neurons
or interneurons).
Typical Neuron
• Dendrites
incoming info.

• Cell Body
integration of info.
Nodes of
Ranvier

• Axon
outgoing info.

• Axon Terminal (with End Bulb)

release of neurotransmitter
 Cell body

Anatomy of
a neuron

1-Cell body(Soma) :
Neurons, like other cells, have a cell body
(called the soma).

The nucleus of the neuron is found in

the soma.

Neurons need to produce a lot of

proteins, and most neuronal proteins are
synthesized in the soma as well.
 Anatomy of
a neuron
Dendrites

2-Dendrites:
Dendrites are branched protoplasmic
extensions which receiving of incoming
information, generally take place in them.

Incoming signals can be either excitatory –

which means they tend to make the
neuron fire (generate an electrical impulse) –
or inhibitory – which means that they tend to
keep the neuron from firing.
Ca++
cl -
 Anatomy of
a neuron
Dendrites

Dendrites:
Most neurons receive many input signals
throughout their dendritic trees.

If the neuron does end up firing the nerve

impulse, or action potential, is conducted
down the axon.
 Anatomy of Axon
a neuron

3-Axon :
An axon or nerve fiber, is a long, slender projection
of a nerve cell, or neuron , in vertebrates, that
typically conducts electrical impulses known
as action potential away from the nerve cell body .

The function of the axon is to transmit information to

different neurons, muscles, and glands.

While it lacks many of the organelles found in the cell

body, the axon contains microtubules (along the
length of the axon).
 Anatomy of Axon
a neuron

Axon has specialized, insulating substances known

as myelin on its surface that boost the transmission
of nerve impulses.

Myelin sheath is made up of cells (Schwann cells in

PNS) wrapping themselves around the axon.

In the Central Nervous System, this action is

performed by the oligo-dendrocyte cells.

The spaces/gaps between the Schwann cells are

known as the nodes of Ranvier and they serve to
propagate electrical signals along the axon.
 Anatomy of
a neuron

Axon
4-Axon Hillock Hillock
The axon hillock is a specialized region from
which the axon extends and is cone-shaped.

Unlike the cell body and dendrites, the Axon

Hillock lacks many cell organelles.

However, it contains various elements of the

cytoskeleton as well as a few of the organelles
that are transported to the axon from the cell
body.

the electrical signal (transmitted through

axon), is produced in Hillock.
 Anatomy of a neuron

Axon
terminal

5-Towards its end, the axon

splits up into many
branches and develops
bulbous swellings known
as axon terminals
(or nerve terminals).

These axon terminals

make connections
on target cells.
Axons differ from dendrites in several ways :

1-The dendrites tend to taper and are often covered

with little bumps called spines.
In contrast, the axon tends to stay the same diameter for
most of its length and doesn't have spines.

2-The axon arises from the cell body at a specialized

area called the axon hillock.

3-Finally, many axons are covered with a special

insulating substance called myelin, which helps them
convey the nerve impulse rapidly.

Myelin is never found on dendrites.

The basic functions of a neurons:
1-Receive signals (or information).

2-Integrate incoming signals (to determine whether or

not the information should be passed along).

3-Communicate signals to target cells (other neurons or

muscles or glands).
 REVIEW OF
MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
 Resting Cell Membrane:

When ;
- Ionic concentration gradient Force and
electrical Driving Force, balanced; in this
moment, amount of electrical voltage difference
between inside and outside of cell membrane, is
said “resting membrane potential” .
 +
Na
+
K
+
K
There are 4 Phases in an
Action Potential:
1. Threshold
2. Depolarization
3. Repolarization
4. Hyperpolarization
Resting Cell Membrane:
Ionic concentration gradient Force and electrical Driving Force,
balanced; and amount of electrical voltage difference between inside
and outside of cell membrane, is said “resting membrane potential”
.

Graded Potentials:
Localized change in membrane potential that varies in magnitude and
is decremental.

Action Potentials:
Rapid reversal in membrane potential (due to changes in ion
permeability), with constant magnitude and is non-decremental.

"All or none" event:

Signal does not diminish over distance
 Na+ Na+ Na+ Na+
outside Na+

++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++

1-When one area is
depolarized, a potential ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
difference exists between that outside

site and the adjacent

membrane.
Na+ Na+ Na+ Na+
outside Na+

2-A local current flow is ++-- ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++

initiated.
--++ ---- ---- ---- ----
outside
 Na+ Na+ Na+
outside Na+

++-- ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++

--++ ---- ---- ---- ----
outside Na+

3-This local current flow will

cause opening of voltage- Na+
gated Na channels in the
Na+ Na+
outside Na+

++++ ++-- ++++ ++++ ++++

adjacent membrane.
---- --++ ---- ---- ----
4-Na influx will occur outside
Na+

5-Membrane is depolarized.
Na+ Na+
outside Na+ Na+

++++ ++-- ++++ ++++ ++++

---- --++ ---- ---- ----
outside Na+
Refractory Periods :
- Absolute Refractory Period:
- Relative Refractory Period:
 AP propagation along myelinated nerves

Sodium channel Node of ranvier

1- Na channels are concentrated around nodes.

2- Therefore depolarization mainly occur at nodes.

 small
1-Diameter
big

2-Temperature

3-Axon Myelination (5-50 fold)

Thanks for your
attention