29.

2 Neurons

KEY CONCEPT
The nervous system provides one of the means by
which organ systems communicate.
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• The nervous system controls thoughts, movement, and
emotion as well as simpler life processes such as
swallowing
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• The nervous system works quickly, using chemical
and electrical signals.
– interconnected network of cells (hardwired)
– signals move through cells (neurons)
– divided into central nervous system (CNS) and
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- CNS- brain and spinal cord
- PNS-network of nerves that transmit messages to and from the
PNS to the CNS

spinal
chord

nerves
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Neurons (aka nerve cells) are cells that can
store information and send and receive
messages within the nervous system.
• Make up an information network
(Like the internet)

Cell body

axon

neurotransmitter
Dendrites
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A Closer Look at Neurons (4m53s)

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Neurons are highly specialized cells.

• A neuron has three parts.

1. cell body has nucleus and organelles

1 Cell body
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Neurons are highly specialized cells.

• A neuron has three parts.
1. cell body has nucleus and organelles
2. dendrites receive messages from neighboring cells

2 dendrites
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Neurons are highly specialized cells.

• A neuron has three parts.
1. cell body has nucleus and organelles
2. dendrites receive messages from neighboring cells
3. axon carries messages to other cells
Specialized support cells- such as the myelin sheath-
insulate neurons’ axons and helps them send messages
3 axon
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Directions: Please make a picture bubble map of this neuron. Use p. 876-879 in your book to help you. Label
all major parts of a neuron (cell body, dendrites, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminals, action potential,
synapse, neurotransmitters). Once all parts are labeled, you need to describe the function of each.
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Synapse: Gaps between neurons

Synapse
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Neurotransmitters: Chemical signals released by

neurons. Carry information from neuron to neuron.

Neurotransmitters
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Action Potential: Electrical impulse that carries

messages

Dendrites receive
action potential
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON
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NEURON

Dendrites of
next neuron
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Axon terminal: releases neurotransmitters (chemical
signals)

Synapse
(gap)
Axon terminal

Dendrites of
next neuron
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Check your labels:
Neurotransmitters
Synapse NEURON

Cell body
axon

Myelin sheath

Dendrites Axon terminal

Action potential
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Neurons transmit information in the form of electrical and
chemical impulses
1. When a neuron is stimulated, it produces an electrical
signal (action potential) within that neuron
- Electrical Impulse reaches axon terminal
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2. Before it can move to the next cell it changes into a
chemical signal (neurotransmitter)
3. Neurotransmitters (chemicals) release into synapse.
4. Neurotransmitters stimulate next cell.

synapse

neurotransmitte

vesicles
receptor
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Neurons and Sensory Neurons (2m59s)

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How does the structure of a neuron

make it effective in carrying out the
functions of the nervous system?
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How does the structure of a neuron

make it effective in carrying out the
functions of the nervous system?

Neurons have long extensions called

axons, which allow messages to be
carried long distances without having
to pass the signal to another cell.
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There are 3 types of neurons:

1) Sensory neurons

2) Interneurons

3) Motor neurons
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1. Sensory Neurons: (Think Senses)

• Function: Sensory receptors gather information
from external/ internal environment and carry
impulses along sensory neurons to the CNS
• NO INTERPRETATION
• Located in PNS

Outside: Inside:
Light Temperature
& Oxygen Levels
Sound pH Levels
Intensities
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29.2 Neurons

2)Interneurons:
• Function: Receives signals from sensory neurons and
processes and interprets these messages within the
CNS
• Makes decisions on what needs to be done
• Sends messages/instructions to motor neurons
• Located in CNS

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29.2 Neurons

3)Motor neurons:
• Function: Carry nerve impulses out of the brain
or spinal cord to effectors
•Effectors: muscles and glands will execute a
specific task
• Located in the PNS.

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Motor Neurons (57s)

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Key: Motor Neurons Effectors Receptors Sensory Neurons Interneurons

1. Receptors

2. Sensory Neurons

3. Interneurons

4. Motor Neurons

5. Effectors
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Key: Motor Neurons Effectors Receptors Sensory Neurons Interneurons

1. 2.

3.

5.

4.

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Stimuli and Neurons (4m 16s)

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In a nutshell….
• The nervous system can:
• Detect changes in the body
• Make decisions based on the info received
• Stimulate muscles and/or glands to respond
• Counteract changes to maintain homeostasis

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 Types of Neurons “Story” Tree Map (P. 32)
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Sensory Neurons Interneurons Motor Neurons

• Function • Function • Function

• Location • Location • Location

Give a real life example (Tell a story)

1. The phone rings. The 2. Your brain interprets this 3. The motor neurons
sensory neurons in your information and identifies send nerve impulses to
ear gather the sound the sound as the phone your muscles which
information and send it to ringing. This info is sent to allow you to answer the
the CNS the motor neurons phone
Draw a picture for each

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