NEURONS AND

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Lecture III

NEURONS

Workhorses of the nervous system

They work by generating and conducting actio
potentials, which are simply changes in the
polarity of the potential difference (voltage) that
exists across the membrane of a neuron.
Action potentials represent the means by which
information is transmitted throughout the
nervous system and, therefore, the means by
which it achieves control and coordination.

NEURONS

Neurons take on many differing appearances:

NEURONS

However, irrespective of the actual appearance of

an individual neuron, they all share common
characteristics.
A typical neuron consists of a dendritic region, a
somatic and an axonic region.
Dendrites are processes extending from the
soma or cell body of the neuron.

NEURONS

Function: to receive information from other

neurons and form sensory receptors, the latter
providing information about what is happening
in the animals environment.