2 Biosystems maintenance

6.1 Structure of neurones

Learning outcomes
On completion of this section, you
should be able to:
 describe the structure of sensory
and motor neurones
 describe the functions of
neurones in the transmission of
nerve impulses
 describe the structure of myelin
 state the effect of myelination on
the speed of impulses
 outline the structure of cell
surface membranes of neurones.
Link
We used the idea of the functional
unit in the pancreas and in the
kidney. (See page 112.)
SENSORY NEURONE nucleus cell body myelin node of
dendron
sensory
dendrites
Figure 6.1.1 A sensory neurone
Structure of the nervous system
The nervous system is divided into two parts:
 central nervous system (CNS), which is divided into the brain and
spinal cord
 peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of nerves – cranial
nerves attached to the brain and spinal nerves attached to the spinal
cord.
There are two main cell types within the nervous system. Nerve cells,
which are also known as neurones, transmit information very fast over
long distances. These cells are supported, protected, and in some cases
insulated, by glial cells.
There are three types of neurone:
 sensory neurone
 relay neurone (also known as connector neurone or intermediate
neurone)
 motor neurone.
No neurone can bring about a piece of behaviour on its own. The
simplest functional unit in the nervous system is a reflex arc, which
consists of one of each of the neurones. In some reflex arcs, such as that
which controls the knee jerk reflex, there is no connector neurone.
Sensory neurones:
sheath Ranvier axon  transmit impulses from sensory
terminals cells (receptor cells) or sensory
on relay
nerve endings to the CNS
or motor
neurones  have their cell bodies in
axon swellings on nerves just outside
the CNS
 terminate on connector
neurones within the CNS.

MOTOR NEURONE dendrites myelin node of axon axon Motor neurones:

sheath Ranvier terminals  transmit impulses from the CNS
on to effectors, such as muscles and
effectors, glands
such as
 have their cell bodies within the
muscles
or glands CNS.
nucleus cell body
Relay neurones:
Figure 6.1.2 A motor neurone
 transmit impulses from sensory
to motor neurones
 Study focus  are found entirely within the
CNS.
Take care over using the terms nerve and neurone. A nerve is a multicellular
structure with many nerve cells surrounded by protective fibrous tissue. A The table shows the functions of
neurone is a nerve cell. the different parts of these
neurones.

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 Module 2 Biosystems maintenance

Component Structural features Function

cell body nucleus (with nucleolus); RER and transcription and translation to produce membrane proteins
mitochondria

cell surface phospholipid bilayer; impermeable to ions;

membrane Na+/K+ pump proteins; pump Na+ out and K+ in;
channel proteins allow movement of ions through the membrane

dendron long, thin process(es) from cell body transmits impulses towards cell body in sensory neurones

dendrites similar, but smaller than dendrons provide large surface for synapses from many other neurones

axon long, thin process from cell body transmits impulses away from cell body

terminal swollen end of axon containing release neurotransmitter molecules from vesicles to carry
endings mitochondria and vesicles with impulse across synaptic cleft; reform neurotransmitter
molecules of neurotransmitter molecules

Myelin
The neurones shown in Figures 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 are myelinated. All motor
and sensory neurones are supported by a type of glial cell called the
Schwann cell. Unmyelinated neurones lie within ‘gutters’ formed by
columns of these cells. The whole length of the neurone is exposed to the
surrounding tissue fluid. As the nervous system develops, myelinating
Schwann cells grow around the neuronal processes (axons and dendrons)
of some neurones. This continues until there is layer upon layer of cell
membrane with tiny quantities of cytosol in between. The membrane is
rich in phospholipid with very few proteins. Myelin insulates the
neurone membrane from the tissue fluid as ions cannot diffuse through
this thick layer of phospholipid. Each Schwann cell covers about 1–3 mm
of the axon or dendron. Where two Schwann cells meet there is a gap
that allows tissue fluid to reach the surface of the neurone. These gaps
are the nodes of Ranvier.

Structure of the cell surface membrane Figure 6.1.3  A cross-section of the axon
of a myelinated neurone. You can see the
Conduction of nerve impulses relies on the movement of ions along layers of cell membrane that make up the
dendrons and axons. These ions do not travel very far as the resistance to myelin sheath.
their flow is high and impulses decay quickly. In order to ‘boost’ the
forward flow of ions, action potentials occur at intervals along the
neurone. An action potential is the net effect of ion flow across the
neurone membranes. In unmyelinated neurones they occur all along the
Summary questions
neurone. In myelinated neurones action potentials occur only at the 1 Make a large diagram of a a
nodes of Ranvier. motor neurone, and b a sensory
Cell surface membranes of axons and dendrons are just the same as other neurone. Label both diagrams
cells, except they have large numbers of ion channels. There are several and annotate with the functions
types, but four concern us: of each part you have labelled.
 voltage-gated sodium ion channel proteins 2 Explain the differences between
 voltage-gated potassium ion channel proteins the following pairs: central and
 potassium leak channel proteins peripheral nervous systems,
cranial and spinal nerves,
 sodium leak channel proteins.
myelinated and unmyelinated
In addition, there are sodium potassium pump proteins in these neurones, sensory and motor
membranes. neurones, axon and dendron.

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