Definition
The nervous system contains the following:
Neurons
Neurons are the nerve cells which transmit electrical impulses. These cannot be divided nor repaired.
Types of Neurons
- Sensory Neuron - These take the information from theReceptors to the spinal cord / brain.
- Motor Neuron - These take the information from the spinal cord / brain to the effectors.
- Relay Neuron - This connects the other types of neurons in the spinal cord.
Receptors
These specialised tips of neurons help in detecting and sensing stimuli. These are of multiple types
- Photo-receptors - light
- Phono-receptors - sound
- Thermo-receptors - heat
- Gustatory-receptors - taste
- Olfactory-receptors - smell These are often present in our sense organs.
Working of a Neuron
- The information is acquired at the dendrites
- Electrical impulse is generated in the cell body.
- The impulse travels through the axon to the nerve ending
- A chemical reaction takes place, and the synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter
- The neurotransmitter crosses the synapse to the post synaptic neuron.
Synapse
It is the gap between two neurons. This gap provides way for the neurotransmitter to transmit information between neurons and muscle cells.
Reflex Action
Backlinks
Flashcards
What are neurons? ? Neurons are the nerve cells which transmit electrical impulses. These cannot be divided nor repaired.
What are types of neurons? ?
- Sensory Neuron - These take the information from theReceptors to the spinal cord / brain.
- Motor Neuron - These take the information from the spinal cord / brain to the effectors.
- Relay Neuron - This connects the other types of neurons in the spinal cord.
What are receptors and their types? ? These specialised tips of neurons help in detecting and sensing stimuli. These are of multiple types
- Photo-receptors - light
- Phono-receptors - sound
- Thermo-receptors - heat
- Gustatory-receptors - taste
- Olfactory-receptors - smell These are often present in our sense organs.
What is the working of a neuron? How does it transmit information?
- The information is acquired at the dendrites
- Electrical impulse is generated in the cell body.
- The impulse travels through the axon to the nerve ending
- A chemical reaction takes place, and the synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter
- The neurotransmitter crosses the synapse to the post synaptic neuron.
What is a synapse? ? It is the gap between two neurons. This gap provides way for the neurotransmitter to transmit information between neurons and muscle cells.