Neuron: structure and function

🌟Introduction:- 

🔷️A neuron is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. It is a specialised cell that transmits information in the form of electrical and chemical signals.

📚Key concept:- 

• Neuron helps in the receiving, conduction and transmission of nerve impulse across the body.
• Helps in coordination, reflexes,  sensation, and thought processing.

Structure of neuron:- 

A typical neuron has three main parts:-

Part	Description	Function
Cell body	Contains nucleus and cytoplasm, has cell organelles.	Control cell activities and integrates signals.
Dendrite	Short, branch like extensions from the cells body.	Receive signals from other neuron or sensory cells
Axon	Long, single fibre covered with myelin sheath	Carries nerve impulse away from cell body to other neuron
Axon terminals	Ends of the axon forming junction called synapse with other neurons	Release neurotransmitter to pass signal to next cell

📚Additional structure:- 

1.)Myelin sheath:- Fatty layer covering the Axon (not in all neuron) function are speeding up nerve impulse and prevent loss of signals.

2.) Nodes of Ranvier:- Gaps between the myelin sheath. Allow faster impulse jumping (called saltatory condition)

3.)Synapse:- Gap between Axon and next cell. Transfers signal using neurotransmitter (chemical messengers)

⚙️Working of a neuron:- 

1. Reception:-  Dendrite receive chemical, electrical signals from sensory cells or nearby neurons.
2. Integration:- Cell body processes the signals 
3. Conduction:- Axon carries the electrical impulse away from the cell body.
4. Transmission:-  At the Axon terminals, neurotransmitter are released across the synapse and the to the next neuron.

Type of neuron:- 

1. Sensory neuron:- Carries message from the sense organs to spinal cord/ brain.
2. Motor neuron:-Carries message from brain/ spinal cord to muscle/glands.

Interneuron:-Connects sensory and motor neurons in the brain.