Wize University Psychology Textbook > Neuroscience
The Structure of Neurons
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Anatomy of the Neuron
The neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system. They are highly specialized electrically excitable cells that transmit a signal from one cell to another.
Parts of the Neuron
The area near the cell body is where information is received and integrated from other neurons.
Wize Tip
Think of this as the area where information is processed and the neuron 'decides' what to pass on or not.
- Soma (cell body): location of nucleus and organelles.
- Dendrites: another type of projection from the cell body used to receive information from other neurons. Allows for multiple signals to be received from different neurons simultaneously.
- Axon Hillock: connection between the soma and the axon; integrates signal coming in from multiple sources.
- Axon: projection from the cell body that transmits electrical information from the cell body.
From the axon and away from the cell body is the part of the neuron responsible for transmitting the signal so it can reach other neurons.
- Myelin Sheath: insulating layer that wraps around axons; enable faster signal propagation.
- In central nervous system: oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath.
- In peripheral nervous system: Schwann cells form the myelin sheath.
- Nodes of Ranvier: gap in the myelin sheath of a neuron where the nerve impulse propagates along the axon.
- Axon Terminals: branches off the axon; they engage with other neurons at the synapse.
Practice: The Structure of Neurons
Match each part of the neuron to its function
A.
releases neurotransmitters into synapse
B.
insulates axon and speeds up neural transmission
C.
connection between the soma and the axon
D.
gap between neurons
E.
receives inputs from other neurons
dendrite
myelin
axon terminals/terminal branches
synaptic cleft
axon hillock