Neurons (Nerve Cells)

What are Neurons?

Neurons, also known as the nerve cells, is a specialized cell which sends and receives
signals from the brain via electrical and chemical signals through a specialized projection called
axons or through rootlike extensions called dendrites. ​(Han, 2018)

Unlike other cells, neurons do not regenerate or reproduce and are not replaced once
dead. However, humans are born with so many neurons, 100 billion neurons in the brain alone.
These neurons came from a process called neurogenesis which occurs in some parts of the
brain after birth. ​(Khan Academy, n.d.)

Functions of Neurons
Neurons’ basic functions are to receive signals or information, process the information
then send said information forward to other cells like other neurons, muscle, or glands.
However, the functions of neurons will vary depending on their types.

Types of Neurons

● Sensory neurons
○ Sensory neurons get information from inside and outside of the body and
transmit those signals to the central nervous system for processing. Signals
could be information about taste, smell, sound, sight, or contact with the
environment through touch.
● Motor neurons
○ Motor neurons receive signals and move the muscles, organs and glands to
react.
● Interneurons
○ Interneurons process information and send to other neurons. Interneurons are
only found in the CNS and the connects neurons together. ​(Khan Academy, n.d.)
SHAPE of Neurons

How the Shape of Neurons affects the Functions

Neurons have a tree-like shape with long and thin tail-like extensions (axons and
dendrites) to reach out to other cells. This helps neurons pass on signals faster throughout the
body. ​(CK-12 Foundation, 2017)

How Neurons keeps us alive

Neurons allow us to be able to perceive our surroundings. For example, you can see,
smell, taste, and feel the environment because of the nervous system. These perceptions can
indicate danger that causes us to seek safety. After the brain process the perceptions, it orders
our body to react in order to survive the danger like increased heart rate and blood flow through
the body in order to survive the danger. ​(Khan Academy, n.d.)
Where can you find Neurons?
In the human body, neurons are scattered throughout the whole body so they can
receive information about the surrounding from all around the body. These neurons can be
divided into 2 main sections; the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

● Central Nervous System (CNS)

○ CNS is the section that does all of the analysis of any information taken in. They
are mainly found in the brain and the spinal cord.
● Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
○ The PNS includes the sensory and motor neurons and is found throughout the
body in parts that are not the CNS. The sensory neurons send signals to CNS
while motor neurons receive signals from the CNS. ​(Khan Academy, n.d.)

Organelles in Neurons (​specialized ones in red​)

● Cell body (soma)
○ The cell body is the neuron’s core. It contains the nucleus and specialized
organelles, supports the structure and provides energy for reactions in the cell. It
is surrounded by a membrane which protects it and allows it to interact with its
surroundings.
● Axon
○ The axon has a long, tail-like shape which joins the cell body at a specialized
junction called the axon hillock. It is usually insulated with a fatty substance
called myelin which helps axons to conduct an electrical signal. Neurons
generally have one main axon.
● Dendrites
○ Dendrites are fibrous roots that come out of the main cell body to receive and
send signals from the axons to the neurons. Neurons may have multiple sets of
dendrites, known as the dendritic trees but the amount depends on their roles.
For example, Purkinje cells are a special type of neuron in the cerebellum which
has a highly developed dendritic tree which allows them to receive and process
thousands of signals.
● Axon hillock
○ Control amount of impulses and also the junction point for axons and the cell
body.
● Myelin Sheath
○ Protect & support axon
● Schwann cell
○ It is inside the myelin sheath that surrounds axon and makes neurilemma &
myelin sheath.
● Axon terminal
○ The end section of an axon. It is a nerve fibre that can conduct electricity to send
signals or information.
● Nucleus
○ The area that contains genetic information including information for cell
development and protein synthesis in order to maintain cell and survive. The
nucleus is covered by a membrane.
● Nucleolus
○ Nucleolus creates ribosomes to make proteins through the translation process.
● Nissl Bodies (Ribosomes)
○ They are groups of ribosomes used to make proteins.
● Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
○ Rough ER: creates proteins for the cell to use in cellular respiration
○ Smooth ER: make lipids and detoxicate the cell
● Golgi Apparatus
○ A membrane-bound structure that packages peptides, proteins and
neurotransmitters into vesicles.
● Vesicle
○ A container that transports lipids from the SER or proteins from the RER to the
Golgi Apparatus.
● Cytosol (Cytoplasm)
○ It is an intracellular fluid. An example of cytosol is cytoplasm.
● Cell membrane
○ A membrane made up of phospholipids bilayer that
● Cytoskeleton
○ An enzyme that gives the nerve cell body (soma) its shapes.
● Microfilaments/Neurotubles
○ A system of transporting materials within a neuron. It can also be used as
structural support.
● Mitochondria
○ It produces energy to fuel cellular activities. ​(Waymire, n.d.)
What is special about Neurons?
Neurons have a different shape when compared to most generalized animal or cell
plants. While generalized cells have a round shape, neurons have a tail-like extension (axon
and dendrites) coming from the cell body (soma). They also have other specialized organelles
that are not found in generalized cells like action hillock, myelin sheath, and Schwann cell.
(​Waymire, n.d.)

Diseases related to the Nervous System/Neurons

and Treatment.

● Epilepsy
○ Epilepsy causes seizure due to abnormal electrical discharges from the brain.
○ Treatments:
■ A way to treat epilepsy is to take supplementary vitamins like Magnesium,
Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin E.
■ Another way is to change the patient’s diet to a ketogenic diet which is a
diet mainly consisting of fats. ​(Debra Rose Wilson, 2014)
● Parkinson’s disease
○ Parkinson’s disease is a long-term degenerative disease that affects CNS. This
causes the body to have difficulty moving. ​(Rogers, 2012)
○ Treatments:
■ Doctors can prescribe medications like Levodopa and Dopamine Agonists
for patients for a better living.
■ Another way to treat Parkinson’s disease is to have surgery on the deep
brain structures involved in the body’s motion. ​(American Association of
Neurological Surgeons, n.d.)
● Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
○ Weakens the muscles and hampers physical functions.
○ Treatments:
■ Doctors can prescribe medications like Riluzole (Rilutek) or Edaravone
(Radicava) for patients to reduce the levels of a chemical messenger in
the brain (which are often very common in people with more severe ALS.
■ Doctors can also prescribe medications to help with other symptoms like
■ muscle cramps or spasms, fatigue, pain, etc. ​(Michelle Clarke, 2018)
References

American Association of Neurological Surgeons. (n.d.). Parkinson’s Disease – Symptoms,

Diagnosis and Treatment. Retrieved February 12, 2019, from

https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Parkinsons-Disea

se

CK-12 Foundation. (2017, June 16). Variation in Cells. Retrieved February 13, 2019, from

https://www.ck12.org/biology/variation-in-cells/lesson/Cell-Size-and-Shape-Advanced-BIO-

ADV/

Debra Rose Wilson. (2014, July 10). 5 Natural Treatments for Epilepsy. Retrieved February 12,

2019, from ​https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-treatments-epilepsy

Han, S. (2018, July 20). What Is a Neuron? Function, Parts, Structure, Types, and More.

Retrieved February 13, 2019, from ​https://www.healthline.com/health/neurons

Khan Academy. (n.d.). Overview of neuron structure and function. Retrieved February 12, 2019,

from

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/human-biology/neuron-nervous-system/a/ov

erview-of-neuron-structure-and-function

Michelle Clarke, M. D. J. W. S. (2018, July 17). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - Diagnosis

and treatment - Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 12, 2019, from

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/diagnosis-trea

tment/drc-20354027

Rogers, G. (2012, May 30). Managing the Side Effects of Parkinson’s Disease. Retrieved

February 12, 2019, from ​https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/side-effects

Waymire, J. C. (n.d.). Organization of Cell Types (Section 1, Chapter 8) Neuroscience Online:

An Electronic Textbook for the Neurosciences | Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy -

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Retrieved February 13, 2019, from

https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s1/chapter08.html