Neurone
Neurone
Neurone (pronounced: /nʊəˈrɒn/), also known as a nerve cell or neuron, is a fundamental unit of the nervous system that transmits information to other nerve cells, muscle, or gland cells.
Etymology
The term "neurone" is derived from the Greek word "νεῦρον" (neûron), meaning "string, nerve".
Definition
A neurone is a specialized, impulse-conducting cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of the cell body and its processes, the axon and dendrites.
Structure
Neurones are composed of a cell body (or soma), which contains the nucleus and organelles; dendrites, which are extensions from the cell body that receive signals from other neurones; and an axon, which is a long extension that transmits signals to other neurones or cells.
Function
Neurones communicate with each other via synapses, small gaps where the axon of one neurone can pass its signal to another neurone's dendrite. This communication is facilitated by neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse.
Types of Neurones
There are three main types of neurones: sensory neurones, which transmit signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system; motor neurones, which transmit signals from the central nervous system to the muscles; and interneurons, which transmit signals between sensory and motor neurones.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neurone
- Wikipedia's article - Neurone
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