Psychology Biopsychology | Neurones

Neurone structure

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Dendrites

A short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body

Myelin Sheath

Cover the axon and work like insulation to help keep electrical signals inside the cell, which allows them to move more quickly

Axon terminal

The ending of one neuron, this is separated from the next neuron by a small gap called a synapse

Nucleus

Contrains the cell’s DNA

Axon

A long thread-like part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells

Schwann cell

The cells which produce the myelin sheath

Node of ranvier

These speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to jump across gaps in the axon

Cell body [soma]

The main part of the neuron in which the dendrites branch off from

Motor Neurons

Connect CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. When stimulated, they release neurotransmitters that bind to receptors on muscles which trigger movement.

Sensory neurons

Carry messages from PNS [Receptors such as eyes, skin, ears, tongue] to CNS [Brain and Spinal cord]. Leading to sensations such as vision, touch, hearing, taste

Relay neurons

These connect the sensory neurons which receive the sensory input to the motor neurons which lead to a movement output