Chapter Three

Cells of the
Nervous System

CHAPTER 3
CELLS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Neurons and Glia

The Structure of neurons
Neuron membranes separate
intracellular fluid from extracellular fluid
The neural cytoskeleton provides
structural support that maintains the
shape of the neuron

Figure 3.2 The Neural Membrane

Figure 3.3 Three Fiber Types Compose

the Cytoskeleton of Neurons

Figure 3.4 Tau Phosphorylation Leads

to
Cell Death

Neurons and Glia

Structural Features of Neurons
Cell body (soma) contains nucleus and
other organelles
Dendrites branches that serve as
locations at which information from
other neurons is received
Axons are responsible for carrying
neural messages to other neurons
Vary in diameter and length
Many covered by myelin

Figure 3.5 The Neural Cell Body

Figure 3.6 Axons and Dendrites

Structural Variations in Neurons

Unipolar
Single branch extending from the cell body

Bipolar
Two branches extending from the neural cell
body: one axon and one dendrite

Multipolar
Many branches extending from the cell body;
usually one axon and many dendrites

Figure 3.8 Structural and Functional

Classification of Neurons

Functional Variations in Neurons

Sensory Neurons
Specialized to receive information from the
outside world

Motor Neurons
Transmit commands from the CNS directly to
muscles and glands

Interneurons
Act as bridges between the sensory and motor
systems

Glia
Macroglia: Largest of the glial cells
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells

Microglia: Smallest of the glial cells

Table 3.1 Types of Glia

Figure 3.9 Astrocytes

Figure 3.10 Oligodendrocytes and

Schwann Cells

The Generation of the Action Potential

Ionic Composition of the Intracellular
and Extracellular Fluids
The difference between these fluids provides
the neuron with a source of energy for
electrical signaling
Differ from each other in the relative
concentrations of ions they contain

Figure 3.12 The Composition of

Intracellular and Extracellular Fluids

Figure 3.13 Measuring the Resting

Potential
of Neurons

The Generation of the Action Potential

The Movement of Ions
Diffusion is the tendency for molecules to
distribute themselves equally within a medium
Electrical force is an important cause of
movement
Like electrical charges repel
Opposite electrical charges attract

Figure 3.14 Diffusion and Electrical

Force

The Generation of the Action Potential

The Resting Potential
Membrane allows potassium to cross freely
Measures about -70mV
If potassium levels in extracellular fluid
increase, resting potential is wiped out

The Action Potential

Threshold
When recording reaches about -65mV

Channels open & close during action

potential
Sodium flows into neuron , potassium flows out
around the peak of the action potential

Refractory period
Recording returns to resting potential
Absolute versus relative refractory periods

The action potential is all-or-none

Figure 3.15 The Action Potential

The Propagation of the Action Potential

Propagation
Signal reproduces itself down the length of the
neuron
Influenced by myelination
Passive conduction = propagation in unmyelinated
axon
Saltatory conduction = propagation in myelinated
axon

Figure 3.16 Action Potentials Propagate

Down the Length of the Axon

Figure 3.17 Propagation in

Unmyelinated and Myelinated Axons

The Synapse
Electrical synapses
Directly stimulate adjacent cells by sending ions
across the gap through channels that actually touch

Chemical synapses
Stimulate adjacent cells by sending chemical
messengers

Neurotransmitter release
Neurotransmitters bind to postsynaptic receptor sites
Termination of the chemical signal
Postsynaptic potentials
Neural Integration

Table 3.2 A Comparison of Electrical

and Chemical Synapses

Figure 3.19 The Electrical Synapse

Figure 3.21 Exocytosis Results in the

Release of Neurotransmitters

Figure 3.22 Ionotropic and

Metabotropic Receptors

Figure 3.23 Methods for Deactivating

Neurotransmitters

Figure 3.24 Neural Integration

Combines Excitatory and Inhibitory
Input

Table 3.3 A Comparison of the

Characteristics of Action Potentials,
EPSPs and IPSPs

Neuromodulation
Synapses between an axon terminal
and another axon fiber
Axo-axonic synapses have modulating effect
on the release of neurotransmitter by the
target axon
Presynaptic facilitation
Presynaptic inhibition

Figure 3.26 Synapses Between Two

Axons Modulate the Amount of
Neurotransmitter Released