Parts of a Neuron and the Action Potential

Neuron: Cell of the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical
information. *Each human body has 100 billion neurons.

Glial Cells: “Neuron’s support cells” - cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other support
for the neurons, as well as communication within the nervous system; also called glia or neuroglia.
Comprises 90% of the Brain’s cells.

Functions: Performs cleanup tasks, insulates one neurons from another (myelin sheath) so
that their neural messages are not scrambled. Potentially plays direct role in nervous system
communication.

Parts of a Neuron:

Dendrites: “Little tree.” Branching neuron structures that receive neural impulses from other
neurons and convey impulses toward the cell body.

Cell body: Part of the neurons containing the cell nucleus, as well as other cell organelles, aka soma

Axon: Long, tube-like structure, carries impulses away from the neuron’s cell body toward other
neurons or to muscles or glands

Myelin Sheath: Layer of fatty insulation wrapped around the axon of neurons, which increases rate
at which impulses travel. In certain diseases such as MS, the myelin sheath breaks down and person
loses muscular coordination.

Terminal Buttons/Axon Terminals: Part of the axons which forms junctions/synapses with other
cells and release chemicals called Neurotransmitters!

HOW DO NEURONS COMMUNICATE?

Neuronal communication takes place in the form of an electrical impulse… information travels down
the entire length of the axon via a brief traveling electrical charge called an ACTION POTENTIAL

STEP 1: Resting Potential. Nerve is in a polarized state: at “rest.” Fluid inside the axon is more
negatively charged than the fluid outside. *Sodium potassium pumps responsible for maintaining this
polarized state. * Pulls K+ ions IN and pump Na+ ions OUT. Charge inside axon: About -70 millivolts.

STEP 2: Action Potential Initation (Depolarization): When the axon membrane is stimulated by a
sufficiently strong signal it produces an action potential. THe axon opens its “gates” and pos.
charged Sodium ions rush in. Both the inside and outside of Axon membrane Positively charged.
*Important: All-or-nothing law.*

STEP 3: Spreading of Action Potential and Repolarization: The initial depolarization produces
subsequent imbalance of ions in the adjacent axon membrane. This causes the action potential to
spread to the next section of the axon. This is a continuous chain of depolarization which
essentially is the propagation of impulses though the axon.

PARTS OF THE BRAIN:

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