JOEL P. CARREON M.D.

To define the neuron and name its processes

To learn the varieties of neurons and identify

them in the different parts of the nervous
system

To review the cell biology of a neuron and

understand the function of a nerve cell and
its processes
To review the structure of the plasma
membrane as it is related to its physiology

To learn the transport of materials from

the cell body to the axon terminals
To understand the structure and function
of synapses and neurotransmitters
To review the supporting function of the
neuroglial cells for nerve cells and the
possible role that they play in neuronal
metabolism, function, and neuronal death

Nerve cell and its

processes
Neurons are excitable
cells that are specialized
for the reception of stimuli
and the conduction of the
nerve impulse
According to number,
length, and mode of
branching of the
neurites(morphological)

The nerve cell body

consists essentially of
a mass of cytoplasm
in which a nucleus is
bounded externally by
a plasma membrane
The cell bodies of the
small granular cells of
the cerebellar cortex
measure about 5 um
in diameter
large anterior horn
cells may measure as
much as 135 um in
diameter

stores the genes

In mature neurons,
the chromosomes
no longer duplicate
themselves and
function only in
gene expression.
Nucleolus rRNA
synthesis
In the female, one
of the two X
chromosomes is
compact and is
known as the Barr
body.

regarded as a special
portion of the rough
endoplasmic reticulum of
the cytoplasm
double layered and
possesses fine nuclear
pores, through which
materials can diffuse into
and out of the nucleus
considered as functionally
continuous with the
cytoplasm

rich in granular and

agranular endoplasmic
reticulum

Contains:
(a) Nissl substance
b) the Golgi complex
(c) mitochondria
(d) microfilaments
(e) microtubules
f) lysosomes
(g) centrioles
(h) lipofuscin, melanin,
glycogen, and lipid

consists of granules that are

distributed throughout the
cytoplasm of the cell body,
except the axon hillock
composed of rough-surfaced
endoplasmic reticulum
Basophilic
Responsible for synthesizing
protein
Fatigue or neuronal damage
causes the Nissl substance to
move and become concentrated
at the periphery of the
cytoplasm - chromatolysis

when seen with the

light microscope after
staining with a
silverosmium
method, appears as a
network of irregular
wavy threads around
the nucleus. In
electron micrographs, it
appears as clusters of
flattened cisternae and
small vesicles
made up of smoothsurfaced endoplasmic
reticulum
For transport of protein
products and enzymatic
reactions

scattered throughout
the cell body,
dendrites, and axons
spherical or rod
shaped
double membrane
possess many
enzymes
take part in the
tricarboxylic acid cycle
and the cytochrome
chains of respiration

form the main component of the

cytoskeleton
very stable and belong to the
cytokeratin family

3-5 nm in diameter and formed of actin

concentrated at the periphery of the
cytoplasm
play a key role in the formation of new
cell processes and the retraction of old
ones
assist the microtubules in axon transport

are revealed with the

electron microscope and
are similar to those seen
in
other types of cells. They
measure about 25 nm in
diameter and are found
interspersed among the
neurofilaments . They
extend throughout the cell
body and its processes.
In the axon, all the
microtubules are arranged
in parallel, with one end
pointing to the cell body
and the other end
pointing distally away
from the body

Rapid transport
(100 to 400 mm
per day)
kinesin for
anterograde (away
from the cell)
movement
dynein for
retrograde
movement

Slow transport (0.1

to 3.0 mm per day)
involves the bulk
movement of the
cytoplasm
includes the
movement of
mitochondria and
other organelles
occurs only in the
anterograde
direction

membrane-bound vesicles
measuring about 8 nm in
diameter
intracellular scavengers and
contain hydrolytic enzymes
formed by the budding off of
the Golgi apparatus.
primary lysosomes, which
have just been formed
secondary lysosomes,
which contain partially
digested material (myelin
figures)
residual bodies, in which
the enzymes are inactive
and the bodies have evolved
from digestible materials
such as pigment and lipid.

small, paired structures

found in immature
dividing nerve cells
hollow cylinder whose
wall is made up of
bundles of
microtubules
associated with the
formation of the
spindle during cell
division and in the
formation of
microtubules

yellowish-brown
granules within the
cytoplasm
result of lysosomal
activity
accumulates with
age

found in the
cytoplasm of cells
in certain parts of
the brain
related to the
catecholaminesynthesizing ability
of these neurons,
whose
neurotransmitter is
dopamine.

site for the initiation and conduction of the

nerve impulse
composed of an inner and an outer layer
of very loosely arranged protein
molecules, each layer being about 2.5 nm
thick, separated by a middle layer of lipid
about 3 nm thick
The plasma membrane and the cell coat
together form a semipermeable
membrane that allows diffusion of certain
ions through it but restricts others
The permeability of the membrane to K +
ions is much greater than that to the Na +
ions

When the nerve cell is excited (stimulated)

by electrical, mechanical, or chemical
means, a rapid change in membrane
permeability to Na+ ions takes place, and Na+
ions diffuse through the plasma membrane
into the cell cytoplasm from the tissue fluid
Action potential
The greater the strength of the initial
stimulus, the larger the initial depolarization
and the greater will be the spread into the
surrounding areas of the plasma membrane.

Nerve impulse it is when the action potential

spreads over the plasma membrane away
from the site of initiation
- and is conducted along neurites
Refractory period when another action
potential cannot be elicited immediately
after the nerve impulse.
Summated multiple excitatory stimuli
applied to the surface of a neuron.
Inhibitory stimuli caused by influx of Cl ions
- hyperpolarization

the movement of ions in solution

depends not only on the size of the ion
but also on the size of the shell of water
surrounding it
K+ ions have weaker electric fields than
Na+ ions
Gaiting involve twisting and distortion
of channels, creating wider or narrower
lumen.
- it responds to voltage change,
presence of ligand, stretch or pressure.

1. Dendrites

short processes of the cell body

In many neurons, the finer branches bear
large numbers of small projections called
dendritic spines.
extensions of the cell body to increase
the surface area for the reception of
axons from other neurons
Essentially conduct the nerve impulse
toward the cell body.

2. Axon

longest process of the cell

body
diameter of axons varies
considerably with different
neurons
The plasma membrane
bounding the axon is called
the axolemma
The cytoplasm of the axon is
termed the axoplasm
possess no Nissl granules or
Golgi complex
The initial segment of the
axon is the first 50 to 100 m
after it leaves the axon
hillock of the nerve cell and
is the most excitable part of
the axon
the site at which action
potential originates.

Fast anterograde transport of 100 to 400

mm per day refers to the transport of
proteins and transmitter substances or
their precursors
Slow anterograde transport of 0.1 to 3.0
mm per day refers to the transport of
axoplasm and includes the
microfilaments and microtubules

the site where two neurons come into

close proximity and functional
interneuronal communication occurs.
takes place in one direction only
most common type is that which occurs
between an axon of one neuron and the
dendrite or cell body of the second
neuron
Synapses are of two types: chemical and
electrical. Most synapses are chemical, in
which a chemical substance, the
neurotransmitter

apposed surfaces of the terminal axonal

expansion and the neuron pre and post
synaptic membrane
they are separated by a synaptic cleft
measuring about 20 to 30 nm wide
on the presynaptic side, the dense cytoplasm
is broken up into groups
on the postsynaptic side, the density often
extends into a subsynaptic web
presynaptic terminal contains many small
presynaptic vesicles which releases
neurotransmitters at synaptic cleft by
exocytosis.

acetylcholine (ACh), norepinephrine,

epinephrine, dopamine, glycine,
serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA), enkephalins, substance P, and
glutamic acid

At post synaptic membranes, transmitter

substance undergo immediate but brief
EPSP or IPSP.
The rapid excitation is seen with
acetylcholine (nicotinic) and L-glutamate,
or the inhibition is seen with GABA
The excitatory and the inhibitory effects on
the postsynaptic membrane of the neuron
will depend on the summation of the
postsynaptic responses at the different
synapses

Acetylcholine, for example, is found at the

neuromuscular junction, in autonomic
ganglia, and at parasympathetic nerve
endings
Norepinephrine is found at sympathetic
nerve endings. In the central nervous
system, it is found in high concentration in
the hypothalamus
Dopamine is found in high concentration in
different parts of the central nervous
system, such as in the basal nuclei (ganglia)

are in separate presynaptic vesicles

do not have a direct effect on the
postsynaptic membrane.
Other receptor proteins bind the
neurotransmitter substance and
activate a second messenger system,
usually through a molecular transducer,
such as a G-protein, and alter the
response of the receptor to the
neurotransmitter

neurons of the CNS are supported by

varieties of non- excitable cells.
smaller and outnumber the neurons 5 to
10 times
There are four types of neuroglial cells:
(1) astrocytes
(2) oligodendrocytes
(3) microglia
(4) ependyma

The gap which separates neurons and

neuroglial cells and filled with tissue fluid.
almost in direct continuity with the
cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid
space externally and with the
cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the
brain and the central canal of the spinal
cord internally
provides a pathway for the exchange of
ions and molecules between the blood and
the neurons and glial cells