Nerve cells
Nerve Cells
Nerve cells, also known as Neurons, are the fundamental units of the Nervous System. They are specialized cells responsible for transmitting information throughout the body.
Pronunciation
Nerve cells: /ˈnərv sɛlz/
Etymology
The term "nerve" comes from the Latin nervus meaning "sinew, tendon, nerve". The term "cell" comes from the Latin cella meaning "small room".
Function
Nerve cells are responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, sending motor commands to our muscles, and transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between.
Structure
Nerve cells have a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The Cell Body contains the nucleus and cytoplasm. The Dendrites are short, often highly branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons. The Axon is a long extension that transmits signals to other neurons or muscle cells.
Types
There are three types of nerve cells: Sensory Neurons, Motor Neurons, and Interneurons. Sensory neurons transmit signals from outside the nervous system to the central nervous system. Motor neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body. Interneurons connect various neurons within the brain and spinal cord.
Related Terms
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
- Synapse: The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
- Myelin Sheath: A layer of fatty tissue encasing a neuron's axon that speeds transmission along nerve cells.
- Action Potential: A rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane with a characteristic pattern.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nerve cells
- Wikipedia's article - Nerve cells
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