Structure of Neurons

What is Nervous System

in Psychology?
Psychology is a science that studies the behavior of living organisms. In a
general sense, every aspect of the body functioning is important to behavior
since the overall health and well being of behavior is involved. While we are
interested in the functioning of all body parts, here our main concern is with
those organs more directly involved in behavior.
The initial understanding of some of the psychological mechanisms
underlying behavior enables us to better comprehend that behavior. In other
instances, a clearer understanding of how the nervous system functions help
psychiatrists the nature of learning better than today. Also, in the area of
mental illness, the whole area of psychosomatic medicine involves
relationship between body processes and behavior.
Our primary interest is in the nervous system, and in the effectors, or bodily
organs activated by the nerves. For an understanding of the nervous system
as a whole, and its role in behavior, it is essential to understand the various
parts it is composed of, and their interrelationships.
Therefore, we will divide the brain into three parts as follows:
1) Neurons
2) Parts of nervous system
3) Endocrine glands

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

1 | Page

Structure of Neurons

What is Neuron (Nerve Cells)?

This is the basic part of nervous system. The entire human nervous system is
composed of cells called neurons. The brain, in particular, is said o be the
most complicated thing on earth, is estimated to contain 10 to 12 billion of
nerve cells or neurons, each of which is connected to other cells.
Nerve cells or neurons receive, integrate and transmit information from one
sensor body part of human and circulates within the brain and then sends
information to the muscles or other parts of the body. 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.

Structure of Neuron
The neuron or nerve cell is itself a science and therefore it has gotten books
and chapters of its smaller part but that is not to psychology concern to go
deeper but of biological concern. Generally, the structure of neuron consist of
Dendrites, Soma (Cell body). Nucleus, Axon, Axon Hillock, Myelin Sheath and
others.

Dendrites:
The Dendrites of a neuron are its many short, branching fibers extending
from the cell body or soma. These fibers increase the surface area available
for receiving incoming information. Dendrites are basically hair-like structure
at the one end that is used to receive electric impulses either from other
neurons or body sensing organs.

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

2 | Page

Structure of Neurons
Soma (Cell Boby):
The Soma or cell body of a
neuron contains the nucleus
and other structures common
to living cells. These structures
support the chemical
processing of the neuron; the
most important of which is the
production of
neurotransmitters. This is the
life support center and provides
energy for all the cells activity.

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

3 | Page

Structure of Neurons

Axon:
The Axon of a neuron is a singular fiber that carries information away from
the soma to the synaptic sites of other neurons (dendrites and somas),
muscles, or glands. The axon is considerably thicker and longer than the
dendrites of a neuron. Axon is also a projection from the cell body.

Axon Hillock:
Larger neurons have a markedly expanded region at the initial end of the
axon. This axon hillock is the site of summation for incoming information. At
any given moment, the collective influence of all neurons that conduct
impulses to a given neuron will determine whether or not an action potential
will be initiated at the axon hillock and propagated along the axon.

Myelin sheath:
The Myelin Sheath of a neuron consists of fat-containing cells that insulate
the axon from electrical activity. This insulation acts to increase the rate of
transmission of signals. A gap exists between each myelin sheath cell along
the axon. Since fat inhibits the prop agnation of electricity, the signals jump
from one gap to the next.

Node of Ranvier:
The gaps (approximately 1 micrometer wide) formed between myelin sheath
cells long the axons are called Nodes of Ranvier. Since fat serves as a good

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

4 | Page

Structure of Neurons
insulator, the myelin sheaths speed the rate of transmission of an electrical
impulse along the axon. The electrical impulse jumps from one node to the
next at a rate as fast as 120 meters/second. This rapid rate of conduction is
called saltatory conduction.

Axon Terminals (Terminal Buttons):

The Terminal Buttons of a neuron are the small knobs at the end of an axon
that release chemicals called neurotransmitters. The terminal buttons form
the Presynaptic Neuron of the synapse.

Synapses and their Communication:

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. In a process known as reuptake, these
neurotransmitters attach to the receptor site and are reabsorbed by the
neuron to be reused.

Types of Neuron
There are different types of neurons. They all carry electro-chemical nerve
signals, but differ in structure (the number of processes, or axons, emanating
from the cell body) and are found in different parts of the body.

Sensory neurons or Bipolar neurons carry messages from the

body's sense receptors (eyes, ears, etc.) to the CNS. These neurons have two
processes. Sensory neuron account for 0.9% of all neurons. (Examples are
retinal cells, olfactory epithelium cells.)

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

5 | Page

Structure of Neurons

Motoneurons or Multipolar neurons carry signals from the CNS to

the muscles and glands. These neurons have many processes originating
from the cell body. Motoneurons account for 9% of all neurons. (Examples are
spinal motor neurons, pyramidal neurons, Purkinje cells.)

Interneurons or Pseudopolare (Spelling) cells form all the neural

wiring within the CNS. These have two axons (instead of an axon and a
dendrite). One axon communicates with the spinal cord; one with either the
skin or muscle. These neurons have two processes. (Examples are dorsal root
ganglia cells.)

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

6 | Page