1. prof. aza Neurons and Nerves (Hand out) prof.aza

2. prof. aza The human nervous system has two main divisions (Figure 01a): the central nervous system (CNS), and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes the somatic motor nervous system, and the sensory nervous system. The human nervous system has two main divisions (Figure 01a): the central nervous system (CNS), and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes the somatic motor nervous system, and the sensory nervous system.somatic motor nervous systemsensory nervous systemsomatic motor nervous systemsensory nervous system The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. It acts as the central control region of the human nervous system, processing information and issuing commands. The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. It acts as the central control region of the human nervous system, processing information and issuing commands.brainspinal cordbrainspinal cord

3. prof. aza The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the command network the CNS uses to maintain the body's homeostasis. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the command network the CNS uses to maintain the body's homeostasis. It automatically regulates heartbeat and controls muscle contractions in the walls of blood vessels, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts. It also carries messages that help stimulate glands to secrete tears, mucus, and digestive enzymes. It automatically regulates heartbeat and controls muscle contractions in the walls of blood vessels, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts. It also carries messages that help stimulate glands to secrete tears, mucus, and digestive enzymes.

4. prof. aza Figure 01a Nervous System

5. prof. aza The nerves (Figure 01b) that are easily visible to the unaided eye are not single cells. Rather, they are bundles of nerve fibers (neurons) each of which is itself a portion of a cell. The fibers are all traveling in the same direction and are bound together for the sake of convenience, though the individual fibers of the bundle may have widely differing functions. The nerves (Figure 01b) that are easily visible to the unaided eye are not single cells. Rather, they are bundles of nerve fibers (neurons) each of which is itself a portion of a cell. The fibers are all traveling in the same direction and are bound together for the sake of convenience, though the individual fibers of the bundle may have widely differing functions.neurons There are no cell bodies in nerves; cell bodies are found only in the CNS or in the ganglia. Ganglia are collections of cell bodies within the PNS. There are no cell bodies in nerves; cell bodies are found only in the CNS or in the ganglia. Ganglia are collections of cell bodies within the PNS.

6. prof. aza Figure 01b Neuron and Nerve The main portion of the neuron, the cell body, is not too different from other cells. It contains a nucleus and cytoplasm The main portion of the neuron, the cell body, is not too different from other cells. It contains a nucleus and cytoplasm

7. prof. aza The dendrites Where it is most distinct from cells of other types is that out of the cell body, long threadlike projections emerge. Over most of the cell there are numerous projections that branch out into still finer extensions. These branching threads are called dendrites ("tree" in Greek). Where it is most distinct from cells of other types is that out of the cell body, long threadlike projections emerge. Over most of the cell there are numerous projections that branch out into still finer extensions. These branching threads are called dendrites ("tree" in Greek). At one point of the cell, however, there is a particularly long extension that usually does not branch throughout most of its sometimes enormous length. This is the axon (the axis). At one point of the cell, however, there is a particularly long extension that usually does not branch throughout most of its sometimes enormous length. This is the axon (the axis).

8. prof. aza Sensory neuron, motor neuron, and interneuron Figure 01b shows the three parts of the neurons: dendrite(s), cell body, and axon. A dendrites conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body, the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and other organelles. An axon conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body. Figure 01b shows the three parts of the neurons: dendrite(s), cell body, and axon. A dendrites conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body, the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and other organelles. An axon conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body. There are three types of neurons: sensory neuron, motor neuron, and interneuron. A sensory neuron takes a message from the receptors in the sense organ to the CNS. A motor neuron sends a message away from the CNS to an effector, a muscle fiber or a gland. An interneuron is always found completely within the CNS and conveys messages between parts of the system (Figure 3a). There are three types of neurons: sensory neuron, motor neuron, and interneuron. A sensory neuron takes a message from the receptors in the sense organ to the CNS. A motor neuron sends a message away from the CNS to an effector, a muscle fiber or a gland. An interneuron is always found completely within the CNS and conveys messages between parts of the system (Figure 3a).

9. prof. aza In addition to neurons, nervous tissue contains glial cells such as the Schwann cells covering the neurons with sheath. These cells maintain the tissue by supporting and protecing the neurons. In addition to neurons, nervous tissue contains glial cells such as the Schwann cells covering the neurons with sheath. These cells maintain the tissue by supporting and protecing the neurons. They also provide nutrients to neurons and help to keep the tissue free of debris. The neurons require a great deal of energy for the maintenance of the ionic imbalance between themselves and their surrounding fluids, which is constantly in flux as a result of the opening and closing of channels through the neuronal membranes. They also provide nutrients to neurons and help to keep the tissue free of debris. The neurons require a great deal of energy for the maintenance of the ionic imbalance between themselves and their surrounding fluids, which is constantly in flux as a result of the opening and closing of channels through the neuronal membranes.

10. prof. aza Figure 01c Neurons

11. prof. aza the energy consumption Thus while the brain is only 2% of our body weight, it consumes 20% of our energy and moreover 80% of this energy consumption is devoted to maintain the imbalance. Thus while the brain is only 2% of our body weight, it consumes 20% of our energy and moreover 80% of this energy consumption is devoted to maintain the imbalance.

12. prof. aza Figure 01d Action Potential

13. prof. aza Neurons are dynamically polarized, so that information flows from the fine dendrites into the main dendrites and then to the cell body, where it is converted into all-or-none signals, the action potentials, which are relayed to other neurons by the axon, a long wire like structure. Neurons are dynamically polarized, so that information flows from the fine dendrites into the main dendrites and then to the cell body, where it is converted into all-or-none signals, the action potentials, which are relayed to other neurons by the axon, a long wire like structure.

14. The neuron is actually a very poor conductor; the signal drops to 37% of its original strength in only about 0.15 mm. Thus it needs amplification all along its length in the form of sodium- potassium pumps and gates (see Figure 01d). The neuron is actually a very poor conductor; the signal drops to 37% of its original strength in only about 0.15 mm. Thus it needs amplification all along its length in the form of sodium- potassium pumps and gates (see Figure 01d). prof. aza

15. The amplification The amplification is initiated by detection of small changes in voltage across the membrane with the opening of voltage-sensitive sodium channels in the membrane of the neuron. The amplification is initiated by detection of small changes in voltage across the membrane with the opening of voltage-sensitive sodium channels in the membrane of the neuron. Sodium ions rush into the neurons from the extra cellular fluid, resulting in a transient change in the voltage difference between the neuron and the surrounding environment. The action potential travels like a wave from the cell body down the neuron via the repeating amplifications. Sodium ions rush into the neurons from the extra cellular fluid, resulting in a transient change in the voltage difference between the neuron and the surrounding environment. The action potential travels like a wave from the cell body down the neuron via the repeating amplifications.

16. prof. aza the action potential Thus, the action potential enables the neuron to communicate rapidly with other neurons over sizable distances, sometime more than a meter away with a speed from 20 -200 m/sec. Thus, the action potential enables the neuron to communicate rapidly with other neurons over sizable distances, sometime more than a meter away with a speed from 20 -200 m/sec. When the action potential reaches an axon terminal (the synapse), it causes the terminals to secrete a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter), generally an amino acid or its derivative, which binds to receptors in the post- synaptic neurons on the far side of the synaptic cleft. When the postsynaptic potential has reached a specific value an action potential is triggered and the signal is passed to the next neuron. When the action potential reaches an axon terminal (the synapse), it causes the terminals to secrete a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter), generally an amino acid or its derivative, which binds to receptors in the post- synaptic neurons on the far side of the synaptic cleft. When the postsynaptic potential has reached a specific value an action potential is triggered and the signal is passed to the next neuron.synapse