BIOL 251: NEURON TYPES AND ATTRIBUTES

Unipolar

structure

One process extends from cell body and then forms a T-shape with a central and peripheral process (associated with the sensory receptor) making the axon.

Unipolar

location

PNS ganglia

Unipolar

abundance

N/A..?

Unipolar

function

• Sensory neurons

• Afferent signals

• Send information from sensory receptors to CNS for interpretation

Bipolar

structure

Two processes extend from the cell body with one being a fused dendrite and the other is the axon.

Bipolar

location

Special sensory organs like eye, ear, and olfactory receptors.

Bipolar

abundance

Scarce

Bipolar

function

Sensory neurons within special senses organs

Multipolar

structure

Numerous processes extend from the cell body all are dendrites but one (the longer) is the axon.

Multipolar

location

CNS as interneurons and motor neurons

Multipolar

abundance

Most numerous

Multipolar

function

• Interneurons that can be part of chain sending signals within CNS

• Integrate sensory and motor signals

• Motor neurons sending efferent signals to effectors