Function & Structure of Neurones
The nervous system
- The human nervous system consists of:
- Central nervous system (CNS) – the brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral nervous system (PNS) – all of the nerves in the body
- It allows us to make sense of our surroundings and respond to them, and to coordinate and regulate body functions
- Information is sent through the nervous system in the form of electrical impulses – these are electrical signals that pass along nerve cells known as neurones
- A bundle of neurones is known as a nerve
- The nerves spread out from the central nervous system to all other regions of the body and importantly, to all of the sense organs
- The CNS acts as a central coordinating centre for the impulses that come in from, and are sent out to, any part of the body
The human nervous system is comprised of the CNS and the PNS
Neurones
- The following features are found in neurones:
- Neurones have a main, long, fibre known as an axon
- They have a cell body that contains the nucleus and other cellular structures
- Their cell bodies and axon terminals contain many extensions called dendrites
- These dendrites allow them to connect to many other neurones and receive impulses from them, forming a network for easy communication
Neurones have a characteristically elongated structure which allows them to transfer information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body