PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVE

The Nerve Cell

The nerve cell (neuron) is the structural unit of the nervous system.
Each neuron is formed of 2 main parts:

1. The Cell Body (Soma):

It contains a large central nucleus and a well-developed

nucleolus.

Nissl bodies, along with other organelles

However, the neuron doesn't contain a centrosome, so, it can

never divide.

2. The Cell Processes; two types

A. Dendrites: Transmit the nerve impulse towards the cell body.

B. Axon (i.e. Nerve Fiber): It is formed of a single long process

originating from a thickened area of the cell body called the axon
hillock.

Functions of the axon: Transmits the nerve impulse away from

the cell body towards the nerve terminal.

The axon ends in a number of synaptic terminal buttons or

knobs called axon telodendria. These terminal knobs contain vesicles
filled with the chemical transmitter.
Excitability: It is the ability of any living tissue to respond to a stimulus.
It is a property of life.

The nerve is one of the most excitable tissues in the body.

Other excitable tissues include skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles.

Stimulus: It means any change in the surrounding environment of a

living tissue that causes it to react (i.e. produce a response).

Types of Stimuli: 1. Electrical. 2. Thermal. 3. Mechanical.

4. Chemical. 5. Electromagnetic.

Why electrical stimuli are preferred in experimental work?

1. They are similar to the natural nerve impulse inside the body.

2. Their intensity and duration of application can be easily controlled.

3. They produce response without causing damage (so they can be

applied repeatedly).

Factors affecting the Degree of Response to a Particular Stimulus:

1. The rate of application.

2. The strength of the stimulus

3. The duration of application.

1. Rate of Application of the Stimulus: Sudden application of a stimulus
of certain intensity is more effective than a weaker stimulus of gradually
increased intensity to reach the same intensity as the previous one.

2. Strength of the Stimulus & its Duration of Application: This relation

can be illustrated by the Strength-Duration Curve (SDC)

Significance of minimal time: In diathermy, the use of high voltage

alternating currents for a very short periods of time less than (t) during
each phase causes rapid oscillation of ions leading to heating of tissues
without stimulation. This is used in cautery to stop bleeding.

Significance of chronaxie: 1. It is used to compare excitability of

different tissues. 2. The shorter is the chronaxie, the greater is the
excitability (i.e. inverse relationship).

So, Excitability of nerve > skeletal muscle > cardiac muscle > smooth
muscle.