Question

The human brain is the world's fastest computer. It can process information from a simple reflex, like lifting your hand away from a hot stove, or more complex tasks, like taking the visual and auditory information associated with a movie or play and interpreting it into a coherent story. The basic machinery that does this is the same. Let's discuss the structure of the neuron, and explain how a nerve impulse is transmitted. Be as detailed as you can

Answer 1

A neuron, also known as nerve cell, is an electrically exitable cell. It receives, processes, transmits the information through electrical and chemical signal.

A neuron is a microscopic structure composed of three major parts namely-

1. Cell Body or Soma- Soma is the body of the neuron. Most of the protein synthesis occurs in this part as it contains the nucleus. The cell body of a neuron is supported by a complex mesh of structural protein, neurofilaments. Several microscopic clumps called Nissl bodies are seen when the cell body is stained with basophillic dye. These stucture consist of rough endoplasmic reticulum and associated ribosomal RNA. These are mainly involved in protein synthesis.

2. Dendrites- The dendrites are cellular extensions with many branches. It is here, where the majority of input to the neuron takes place via dendritic spine. They contain granular endoplasmic reticulum or ribosomes.

3. Axon- These are fine, cable like projections which can extend thousand of times the diameter of soma in length. It carries nerve signals away from the soma and also some information back to it.

4. Axon terminal- These structures consist of synapses which are specialized structures. The neurotransmitter chemicals are released to the synapses to communicate with target neuron.

Mechanism of nerve impulse transmission-

A nerve impulse is transmitted from one junction to the other via synapses.