THE NERVE CELL

The basic unit of the nervous system is the

nerve cell. Nerve cells are called neurons.
There are billions of neurons in the body.
Some exist alone. Others are joined together
to form organs like the brain and spinal cord.
There are twelve to fourteen billions of neurons in one part of the brain alone. A neuron has a cell body
containing the nucleus. Projecting out from the cell body are root-like structures. These are the dendrites and
axons.

Dendrites carry impulses towards the cell body.

A cell may have as many as 200 dendrites carrying impulses toward the cell body. A single dendrite can be over one
meter long.

Axons carry impulses away from the cell body. Axons pass impulses to the dendrites of other neurons or cell body of
muscle cells. Axons can be grouped together into cable-like bundles called nerves.
Control of Body Processes
through the Nervous System:
The Nerve Impulse
 The Nerve Impulse
• Neurons are cells with the special ability to carry
signals or impulses.
• Thoughts, emotions, learning, and many body
functions are carried by nerve impulses in the neurons.
• A nerve impulse is a combination of an electrical charge
and a chemical reaction.
• A nerve impulse is not a flow of electricity, but an
electrochemical signal moving along a neuron
A nerve impulse cannot jump from one neuron to another.

When a nerve impulse comes to the end of an axon, it produces the chemical, called neurotransmitter, to be released.
The chemical crosses the space between neurons called synapse and stimulates the nerve impulse to start in the next
dendrite.
The nervous system is assisted by five sense organs - the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. These sense organs
are constantly receiving information from the environment and sending messages to the brain. These senses aid
in the survival of human beings. A stimulus (plural: stimuli) is any factor in the environment that may trigger
a nerve impulse. A response is a reaction to a stimulus. A stimulus is received by the body and a response is
made. An organism must be able to respond to a stimulus in order to survive.
Messages do not travel in both directions along the same neuron. Only
the axon of the neuron releases neurotransmitters that cross the space between
neurons. Reaction time is the length of time between application of a stimulus
and detection of a response.
Quiz!
A. Label the basic part of neuron.
1

3
B. Explain the nerve impulse. Used the
following terminologies. (5 Points)

Dendrites
Axon
Neurotransmitters
Synapse
C. Complete the following sentence.
1. Nerve cells are called _________.
2. ______ carry impulses away from the cell body.
Axons pass impulses to the dendrites of other
neurons or cell body of 3._____. Axons can be
grouped together into cable-like bundles called
nerves.
A nerve impulse is a combination of an 4.
____________ and a 5.____________.