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· 01 Aug 2022

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labelling of a neuron

What is a neuron? A neuron, also known as a nerve cell is the primary fundamental unit of the brain and central nervous system. They carry information from the brain and the spinal cord and regulate them. The meeting point between two neurons is called a synapse.

The neurons function by receiving sensory input from the outer world, relaying in the brain, and sending out the motor commands to the muscles, resulting in contraction, relaxation, or movement of the hand. The impulses sent are in the form of electrical signals.

The process of the formation of neurons is called neurogenesis. The interesting fact is that it not only happens in children but also in adults.
There are also neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in which the neurons slowly degenerate and degrade.

NEURON AND ITS PARTS:

In this article we are going to go through the neuron and its parts and how magnificent is the human brain.

Below is a diagram of a neuron (a nerve unit):






Though neurons can differ in morphology according to their position and function, three of the major parts of a neuron are:

1. Cell body
2. Axon
3. Dendrites

Cell body or Soma:

It is the central part of the neuron. The cell body contains the nucleus, which contains chromatin and thus produces genetic information. This helps in the production of proteins. These proteins are necessary for the proper functioning of the other parts of the neuron. The nucleus also contains genetic information, which is responsible for maintaining the neuron’s structure and producing energy for various activities.

The Soma contains many specialized organelles. It is surrounded by a membrane that protects it from the immediate surroundings. Its function is to maintain the integrity of the cell and to keep the neurons working efficiently.


Axon:

The axon or the nerve fiber is a tail-like structure of the neuron that starts from the cell body and joins the cell body to another cell by junction also known as the axon hillock.

These axons are long parts of the nerve processes that branch off from the cell body, to transfer and transmit signals to other parts of the body, after which they go and relay in the junctions, known as synapses.

Some cell bodies have many projections, however, the largest and the most specialized projection is called an axon. It allows the neurons to transfer the electrical and chemical signals from one cell to another. They can also get these electrical and chemical signals via dendrites, which look like root-like projections.

Some of the axons have a tuft of covering surrounding them called myelin. This helps in the faster conduction of signals. An axon is a long structure. The point where the axon meets the cell body is called the axon hillock.

The function of the axon is to carry signals away from the cell body to the terminal buttons and to transmit electrical signals to other neurons.


Dendrites

Dendrites are fibrous and come out of the cell body. The function of the dendrites is to receive and process signals from the axons of other neurons. The neurons that have more than one dendrite is called a multipolar neuron.

Dendrites are primarily concerned with receiving signals from the other neurons. They are coated in synapses, thus helping in their work. Dendrites vary in number and shape. Some of them have short dendrites, while some have longer.


Neurotransmitters are released from the terminal bulbs which are transmitted to the next neuron. Thus the neurons are the most magnificent smallest functional unit of the body.

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