Fundamentals Of Neuroscience
Article 2: The Functions Of A Neuron
Introduction
You see above an image created by tagging neurons with GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), a common method of visualizing cells.
Beautiful, aren’t they?
Our journey through the field of neuroscience begins with the neuron, the fundamental unit of the nervous system.
The Functions Of A Neuron
A typical neuron is a cell with special parts that perform specific tasks.
The structure and function of neurons vary widely across the nervous system. Here, we will discuss the components of the “average” neuron for educational purposes.
Reception
The neuron can be viewed as an information processing unit, and therefore, must first receive information from the outside world.
This process is called reception, and it is carried out by the dendrites, cell body, and small protrusions on the dendrites called dendritic spines.
Neurons receive information through chemical and electrical means. These produce synaptic potentials, which are the beginning of our neuron’s information processing system.
Integration
The information received from the outside world must then be integrated by the neuron.
The initial segment is the part that performs this task, bringing together all the synaptic potentials the neuron has received.
Conduction
If the integration of synaptic potentials by the initial segment has produced an action potential, that signal is conducted through the axon. The nodes of Ranvier play a critical role in this process which we will discuss later on in this series.
Transmission
Once the action potential reaches the axon terminal, it will trigger the release of neurotransmitters, the chemical compounds that neurons use to communicate with one another.
Conclusion
With that, we begin our journey through neuroscience.
Next time, we will discuss more in-depth about the electrical properties of the neuron!
