Neurons and glia
What are the features of a neuron?
- Morphological diversity that accomondate for many different functions
- Create electrical signals due to specialied electric properties
- Specialized for intercellular communication
Zones of a neuron
Dendrites & soma=input zone
axon=conducting zone
Axon terminals = output zone
What are the features of a neuron’s membrane?
- ~ 5 nm thick
- A barrier enclosing cytoplasm inside neuron and excluding substances in neuron’s
external environment
- Composition varies at different locations of neuron
- Some membrane proteins push substances from inside to the outside, others create pores
to regulate substances that enter
What are the features of the cytoskeleton?
- Elements of cytoskeleton are regulated and constantly in motion
- Microtubules: big and run down neurites
- Neurofilaments: intermediate in size, function as space filling structures that contribute to
axon diameter
- Microfilaments: make two thin actin strands stuck to the membrane, and involved in
changing the cell’s shape.
What are the features of the input zone of a neuron?
Soma:
- Cell body, contain essential organelles, specifically ribosomes
- Dendrites receive information
Dendritic spines
- A storage site for synapse strength
- Help move electrical signals to soma
- Involved in many neurodevelopmental disorders
What are the features of the conductance zone?
Axon
- Key structure for transferring information at a distance, highly specialized
