NU LAGUNA

NAME: Althea Cassandra B. Mendoza

SECTION: BSP221E

ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITY 1: NEUTRAL CONDUCTION

I.

Directions: Answer the given question briefly and comprehensively. At least 300 words per question:

1. What are the different types of neurons?

➢ Neurons are information messengers. Thus, this will include the different types of neurons
depending on their structural differences and function such as:

Structural Differences

Unipolar Neurons contain a single long axon which is called myelinated that is responsible for
rapid transmission of signals. This is found in invertebrate species due to the single axon.
Bipolar Neurons consist of an axon and dendrite at the end of each opposite side which sends
messages and receive information. This is found in the retina of the eye but also can be found
in other parts of the nervous system which help the function of the nose and ears.
Multipolar Neurons receive impulses from multiple dendrites that transmit the signals to the
axon. This is common in the central nervous system.
Pseudo Unipolar Neurons transfer signals from the skin and muscles to the spinal cord which
is responsible for coordinating the movements.
Pyramidal Neurons contain an axon with several dendrites which is responsible for conscious
thoughts. This is found in the cortex of the brain.
Purkinje Neurons consists of multiple dendrites from the cell body. This neuron is called
inhibitory neurons since this will release neurotransmitter that hinder other neurons from
sending signals in a rapid phase.
 Functions

Sensory Neurons are prompt through physical and chemical inputs due to the environment.
This are the physical inputs such as sound, touch, heat, and light while chemical inputs include
smell and taste. If you are feeling pain, it is due to the sensory information that are sent to the
brain which the flow of electrical impulses is directed from the source of the pain along with
nerve fibers that are connected to the sensory neurons.
Motor Neurons control the movement of the body including the voluntary and involuntary
movements which allow the brain and spinal cord to communicate. This consists of two motor
neurons which is called lower motor neurons that carries the signals from the spinal cord down
to the muscles and upper motor neurons that carries the signals between the brain and spinal
cord.
Interneurons serve to regulate and control signals from the neurons. This is responsible for
transmitting electrical signals around the body.

2. What are the division of the nervous system?

➢ Central Nervous System
This contains the brain and spinal cord that received and coordinate the activity in all parts of
the body.
Brain
This is an organ that serve as a center of the nervous system which is located at the head
usually close to the sensory organs for senses such as vision.
Cerebrum (Telencephalon)
The major component of telencephalon is the cerebral cortex which further divided into four
lobes. This contains folded bulges called gyri creating indentations in the brain.
Function
Processing sensory information, controlling motor functions, and performing higher order of
functions such as reasoning and problem solving.
Cerebrum
This is the hind brain which regulate the muscles and movements that are responsible for
coordination of the muscular movements and maintenance of the body equilibrium.
Thalamus
A limbic system structure that has link areas of the cerebral cortex which involve sensory
perception and movement with other parts of the brain and spinal cord. This also include the
control of sleep and wake cycle.
Hypothalamus
This is the control center for autonomic functions including respiration, blood pressure, and
body temperature regulation. The endocrine structure secretes hormones that act on the
pituitary gland to regulate biological process such as metabolism, growth, and development of
reproductive system organs. This also influence the emotional responses which influence the
pituitary gland, skeletal muscular system, and autonomic nervous system.
Pons
This a terminal for tracts to run between cerebrum and cerebellum.
Medulla Oblongata
This will connect the brain and spinal cord which control the vital function such as heartbeat,
blood pressure, blood circulation and respiration. This will control the reflexes like papillary
reflex, sneezing, and winking.
Spinal Cord
This is the continuation of the medulla oblongata that both sensory and motor nerve pass
through to the brain and from the brain which is a center for reflex actions.
Peripheral Nervous System
This consists of nerves leading to and from the brain and spinal cord. This system consists of
neuron cell bodies and processes located outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Somatic Nervous System
This is the nerve that transmit information about external stimuli from the skin, muscles, and
joints (senses) to the central nervous system. This also receive commands from the central
nervous system telling the muscles to move.
Autonomic Nervous System
This transmits information to and from internal organs. This will allow for breathing and
digestion that controls the blood vessels, glands, and internal organs. This will involve
emotions such as fear and stress which will play a vital part in stress response.
Sympathetic Nervous System
 This will have an active response in a situation such as fight or flight, increase heart rate or
breathing rate, dilate pupils, inhibits digestion and saliva production, and contract rectum.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
This is active in resting and digesting food, decrease heart rate or breathing rate, constricts
pupils, stimulate digestion and saliva production, and relaxes the rectum.

3. What part of the neuron that receives the messages?

➢ Dendrites also called as dendrons are a branch of protoplasmic extensions of a nerve cell that
propagate the electrochemical stimulate which were received from other neural cells to the cell
body (soma) of the neuron which cause dendrites to project. This are the extensive
appendages of nerve cells which were termed as dendrites that could transfer information from
one neuron to another that can happen through chemical signals and electric impulses
(electrochemical stimulate).
History
This term dendrites were introduced in 1889 by Wilhelm His to describe the number of smaller
protoplasmic processes that were attached to a nerve cell.
Location
This are usually shorter and thinner than axon which is located at the end closer to the cell
body.
Function
This will act as a main contact of neurotransmitter which will have the stimuli arrive from other
neuron that are sent through the synaptic space. This will allow the function of the entire
nervous system since the neurons were distributed throughout the body. Possesses organelles
that alter protein density in response to the changes of the frequency in neuronal inputs which
foster the regular activity of neurons that could prevent neurological disorders.
Development
At the development of dendrites, several factors could cause differentiation. These will include
modulation of sensory input, environmental pollutants, body temperature, and drug usage.
Synapse formation is required for the development of neuronal structure in the function of the
brain which a balance between metabolic costs of dendritic elaboration and coverage of
receptive field determine the size and shape of the dendrites. Humans were born with 100
 billion neurons which several dendrites that grow together is known as synapse then the
thicker the dendrites due to the fatty layer of myelin could result to a faster transmission of
electrochemical signals.
Potential Problems
Malformation in dendrites could result to an impaired nervous system function and epilepsy.

4. What part of the neuron that sends messages?

➢ An axon or nerve fiber is a long slender projection of a nerve cell or neuron in vertebrates that
conduct electrical impulses known as action potentials away from the nerve cell body. This is
responsible for receiving sensory input, sending motor commands, and transforming and
transmitting electrical signals through these processes.
Structure
The larger the diameter of the axon this will transmit the information much faster. In the
innermost of the nerve are axons that can be found inside a myelin sheath. Myelin is a fatty
protective substance that act as an insulation for axons which can help send signals in a long
distance. This is found in neurons which connect the brain regions rather than in neurons
whose axons would remain in a local region.
Function
Axons could help with the cable transmission between neurons that form side branches called
axon collaterals which will send messages to several neurons at once. These branches will be
split into smaller extensions that are called as axon terminal branches or nerve terminals. Each
terminal will hold a synapse where neurotransmitter will send their messages and received
information. Axons will allow nerve cells to send electrical and chemical messages to other
nerve, gland, and muscle cells using an internal communication process.
Sensory Fibers
This will pass impulses or messages from the sensory fiber of the brain toward the central
nervous system. These fibers are responsible for sensations such as interpreting touch,
pressure, temperature, and pain.
Motor Fibers
 This will be the reaction or response to potential threat or danger. This will send messages to
your muscles and glands in response to a stimulus including dangerous events or physical
trauma.
Potential Problems
Axonal injuries can explain the head injury of a person which limit to a vegetative state. Axonal
tears are linked to lesions which is responsible for a loss of consciousness in people who
experienced mild head injuries or concussions. The damage could result to axon degeneration
(loss) and eventually kill the underlying nerve.
This are the diseases of axon degeneration:
Alzheimer Disease
Huntington’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

II.

Directions: Identify the parts of the neuron and define their purpose/functions.

Dendrites – This receives the

signal from other cells. Axon Terminal – This
Node of Ranvier – form junctions with
This allows
Cell Membrane –
diffusion of ions.
Protects the cell.

Schwann Cell – This

produces the myelin sheath.
Myelin Sheath – This increases
Nucleus – This control the the speed of the signal.
entire neuron.