TYPES, STRUCTURE and FUNCTION
Neurons, the basic functional units of the nervous system, generate electrical signals (called action potentials). This allows them to transmit information quickly for long distances. They are the longest living cells. Most neurons are amitotic and therefore, irreplaceable. What does amitotic mean?
3 BASIC FUNCTIONS
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TYPES
Neurons can be divided into three classes: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Sensory neurons Sensory neurons get information about what's going on inside and outside of the body and bring that information into the CNS for processing. For instance, touching a hot stove. These cells are typically unipolar. Motor neurons Motor neurons get information from other neurons and tell your muscles, organs and glands to respond. For instance, taking your hand away from the hot stove. These cells are typically multipolar, but may bipolar in specialized areas. Interneurons Interneurons, (found only in the CNS), connect one neuron to another. They receive information from sensory neurons and transmit information to motor neurons. They can also receive and transmit information between themselves. These cells are typically multipolar. |
ANATOMY
Dendrites
Myelin Sheath
Nucleus
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Synapses
Glial Cells
Soma (Cell body)
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