Structure and Function of Neurons
Structure and Function of Neurons
Structure and Function of Neurons
Neural Membranes
Chem 2390
Prepared by:
Dr. Danila S. Paragas
Professor VI
sensory input
motor input
sensory receptor
effector
integration
Central Nervous System (CNS)
• brain
• spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• cranial nerves
• spinal nerves
dendrite
cell body
Myelin
Synapse
sheath axon
Nodes of Ranvier
Schwann
Axon Cells
What is Myelin?
• lipid-rich (fatty) substance
• surrounds nerve cell axons (the nervous
system's "wires")
• insulate the axon and increase the rate
at which electrical impulses
(called action potentials) are passed
along the axon
Where is myelin formed?
motor
neuron
• A Simple Nerve Circuit – the Reflex Arc.
– A reflex is an autonomic response.
• Measuring Membrane Potentials.
Synaptic vesicles
containing
neurotransmitters
Neural integration occurs at the
cellular level
• Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP)
depolarize the postsynaptic neuron.
– The binding of neurotransmitter to postsynaptic
receptors open gated channels that allow Na+ to
diffuse into and K+ to diffuse out of the cell.
• Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron.
– The binding of neurotransmitter to postsynaptic
receptors open gated channels that allow K+ to
diffuse out of the cell and/or Cl- to diffuse into the
cell.
• Acetylcholine- slows heart rate; PNS
• Glutamate- most prevalent neurotransmitter in the brain
• Aspartate- in CNS
• GABA- inhibitory neurotransmitter
• Glycine- inhibitory neurotransmitter
• Norepinephrine- awakening from deep sleep
• Epinephrine- increase heart rate tyrosine
• Dopamine- movement of skeletal muscles
• Seratonin- sensory perception, temp regulation, mood,
sleep
• Nitric oxide- may play a role in memory and learning
• Enkephalin- inhibit pain impulses by suppressing release
of substance P
• Substance P- enhances perception of pain