Neurones

Structure of a neurone

- Cell body

- Dendron

- Axons

Cell body

- Nucleus

- Large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria which are involved in the production of neurotransmitters

Dendrons

Short extensions which come from the cell body.

Dendrites

Dendrons divide into smaller branches, known as dendrites.

What are dendrites responsible for?

Transmitting electrical impulses towards the cell body.

Axons

Singular, elongated nerve fibres that transmit impulses away from the cell body.

Name the different types of neurones

- Sensory neurones

- Relay neurones

- Motor neurones

Sensory neurone

Transmits impulses from a sensory receptor cell to a relay neurone, motor neurone, or the brain.

- Dendron present and links to the body cell

- Cell body in the middle of the neurone

- It is not in the CNS

- Dendrites don't connect to the cell body

- Axon is shorter than the motor neurone

- Neurone connects to the sensory receptor

Relay neurone

Transmits impulses between neurones.

- Short axon

- Dendrites present

- Found in CNS

Motor neurone

- No dendrons

- Cell body is at the end of the neurone

- In the CNS

- Dendrites are directly connected to the cell body

- Axon is longer than the sensory neurone

- Neurone ends at the motor end plate

Electrical impulse follows what pathway?

Receptor → sensory neurone → relay neurone → motor neurone → effector cell