Infante, Krystine Faye C.

BSMT- MTIL (UTS11)

Neuron

A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system. Neurons are similar to
other cells in the human body in a number of ways, but there is one key difference between neurons
and other cells. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body.
These highly specialized nerve cells are responsible for communicating information in both chemical and
electrical forms. There are also several different types of neurons responsible for different tasks in the
human body.
Sensory neurons carry information from the sensory receptor cells throughout the body to the brain.
Motor neurons transmit information from the brain to the muscles of the body. Interneurons are
responsible for communicating information between different neurons in the body.
The Structure of a Neuron
There are three basic parts of a neuron: the
dendrites, the cell body, and the axon. However, all
neurons vary somewhat in size, shape, and
characteristics depending on the function and role
of the neuron.
Some neurons have few dendritic branches, while
others are highly branched in order to receive a
great deal of information. Some neurons have
short axons, while others can be quite long. The
longest axon in the human body extends from the
bottom of the spine to the big toe and averages a
length of approximately three feet!
Action Potentials
In order for neurons to communicate, they need to transmit information both within the neuron and
from one neuron to the next. This process utilizes both electrical signals as well as chemical messengers.
The dendrites of neurons receive information from sensory receptors or other neurons. This information
is then passed down to the cell body and on to the axon. Once the information has arrived at the axon, it
travels down the length of the axon in the form of an electrical signal known as an action potential.
Communication Between Synapses
Once an electrical impulse has reached the end of an axon, the information must be transmitted across
the synaptic gap to the dendrites of the adjoining neuron. In some cases, the electrical signal can almost
instantaneously bridge the gap between the neurons and continue along its path.
In other cases, neurotransmitters are needed to send the information from one neuron to the next.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are released from the axon terminals to cross the
synaptic gap and reach the receptor sites of other neurons.
Types of Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are an essential part of our everyday functioning. While it is not known exactly how
many neurotransmitters exist, scientists have identified more than 100 of these chemical messengers.

The following are just a few of the major neurotransmitters, their known effects, and disorders they are
associated with.
Acetylcholine: Associated with memory, muscle contractions, and learning. A lack of acetylcholine in the
brain is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Infante, Krystine Faye C.
BSMT- MTIL (UTS11)

Endorphins: Associated with emotions and pain perception. The body releases endorphins in response
to fear or trauma. These chemical messengers are similar to opiate drugs such as morphine but are
significantly stronger.
Dopamine: Associated with thought and pleasurable feelings. Parkinson’s disease is one illness
associated with deficits in dopamine. Doctors may prescribe medications that can increase dopamine
activity in the brain. One category is dopamine agonists, which mimic the effects of dopamine. Another
type of agent is levodopa, which is converted into dopamine in the brain. They each carry their own
relative benefits and side effects. Researchers also have found strong links between schizophrenia and
excessive amounts of dopamine in certain parts of the brain.

Nervous System

The central nervous system (CNS) controls most functions of the body and mind. It consists of two parts:
the brain and the spinal cord.
The brain is the center of our thoughts, the interpreter of our external environment, and the origin of
control over body movement. Like a central computer, it interprets information from our eyes (sight),
ears (sound), nose (smell), tongue (taste), and skin (touch), as
well as from internal organs such as the stomach.
The spinal cord is the highway for communication between
the body and the brain. When the spinal cord is injured, the
exchange of information between the brain and other parts of
the body is disrupted.
Most systems and organs of the body control just one function,
but the central nervous system does many jobs at the same
time. It controls all voluntary movement, such as speech and
walking, and involuntary movements, such as blinking and
breathing. It is also the core of our thoughts, perceptions, and
emotions.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the division of

the nervous system containing all the nerves that lie outside
of the central nervous system (CNS). The primary role of the
PNS is to connect the CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin.
These nerves extend from the central nervous system to the
outermost areas of the body. The peripheral system allows
the brain and spinal cord to receive and send
information to other areas of the body, which allows us
to react to stimuli in our environment. The nerves that
make up the peripheral nervous system are actually the
axons or bundles of axons from neuron cells. In some
cases, these nerves are very small but some nerve
bundles are so large that they can be easily seen by the
human eye.
The peripheral nervous system itself is divided into two
parts:
 The somatic nervous system
 The autonomic nervous system
Infante, Krystine Faye C.
BSMT- MTIL (UTS11)

Each of these components plays a critical role in how the peripheral nervous system operates.

The Somatic Nervous System

The somatic system is the part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for carrying sensory and
motor information to and from the central nervous system. The somatic nervous system derives its
name from the Greek word soma, which means "body."
The somatic system is responsible for transmitting sensory information as well as for voluntary
movement. This system contains two major types of neurons:
1. Sensory neurons (or afferent neurons) that carry information from the nerves to the central
nervous system. It is these sensory neurons that allow us to take in sensory information and
send it to the brain and spinal cord.
2. Motor neurons (or efferent neurons) that carry information from the brain and spinal cord to
muscle fibers throughout the body. These motor neurons allow us to take physical action in
response to stimuli in the environment.

The Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that's responsible for regulating
involuntary body functions, such as blood flow, heartbeat, digestion, and breathing. In other words, it is
the autonomic system that controls aspects of the body that are usually not under voluntary control.
This system allows these functions to take place without needing to consciously think about them
happening.
This system is further divided into two branches:
1. The sympathetic system regulates the flight-or-fight response. This system prepares the body to
expend energy and deal with potential threats in the environment. When action is needed, the
sympathetic system will trigger a response by speeding up the heart rate, increasing breathing
rate, increasing blood flow to muscles, activating sweat secretion, and dilating the pupils. This
allows the body to respond quickly in
situations that require immediate action.
In some cases, we might stay and fight
the threat, while in other cases we may
instead flee from the danger.
2. The parasympathetic system helps
maintain normal body functions and
conserve physical resources. Once a
threat has passed, this system will slow
the heart rate, slow breathing, reduce
blood flow to muscles, and constrict the
pupils. This allows us to return our
bodies to a normal resting state.