Week 5 – Discussion Board 2

[Art Liebl]

Research the components of the nerve cell and importance of each one of them.  Reply to two fellow students by Monday.

[Leslie Hernandez]

A nerve cell, also called a neuron, is responsible for sending messages throughout the body. Each part of the neuron has an important job. Dendrites receive messages from other nerve cells and carry those signals to the cell body. They help the neuron communicate with other cells. The cell body (soma) is the control center of the neuron. It contains the nucleus and keeps the cell alive by providing energy and carrying out the cell’s daily functions.
The nucleus is found inside the cell body. It contains the cell’s DNA and controls the activities of the neuron.
The axon is a long, thin part of the neuron that carries messages away from the cell body to other nerve cells, muscles, or glands. It allows signals to travel throughout the body. The myelin sheath is a protective covering around the axon. It helps messages travel faster and protects the nerve fiber from damage.
The axon terminals are located at the end of the axon. They release chemicals called neurotransmitters that pass messages to the next nerve cell, muscle, or gland. In conclusion, every part of a neuron has a special job. Dendrites receive messages, the cell body and nucleus keep the cell functioning, the axon carries signals, the myelin sheath speeds up communication, and the axon terminals send messages to the next cell. Together, these parts help the brain and body communicate so we can think, move, and respond to the world around us.

[Maria Valencia]

The main components of a nerve cell, also known as a Neuron are: dendrites, soma, nucleus, axon, myelin sheath, nodes of ranvier, and axon terminals. All of these components hold their importance to ensure the nerve cell functions as it should. Dendrites are the branch-like extensions of the cell and they are important because they carry incoming information toward the cell body which lets the neuron communicate with other cells. The cell body also known as the soma is where the nucleus and most of the cell’s organelles are located. The soma is important because it is where proteins are made, nutrients are processed, and incoming signals are integrated to generate a response. The Nucleus is inside the cell body and contains the cell’s DNA. The nucleus is important because it is the the control center of the cell and it directs the cell’s activities. The Axon is a long and thin projection that carries electrical impulses away from the soma. It’s important because it transmits nerve impulses to other neurons, muscles, or glands. The myelin sheath is a fatty insulation layer that surrounds many axons. It is important because it increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission and protects the axon. The Nodes of Ranvier are the small gaps between sections of the myelin sheath, these gaps aré important because the allow electrical impulses to jump from node to node. Lastly axon terminals or synaptic endings are the branched ends of the axon and these are important because they release neurotransmitters to pass signals to the next neuron, muscle, or gland.

[Emely Veliz]

Hi Maria, your post was very clear and organized. I liked that you included the nodes of Ranvier because sometimes people forget about that part. I agree that those small gaps are important because they help the signal travel faster through the neuron.

[Emely Veliz]

A nerve cell, is one of the most important cells in the nervous system because it helps send information through the body. Neurons allow us to move, feel, think, remember, and react to things around us. A neuron has different parts, and each part has a special function.
The dendrites are small branches that receive signals from other neurons. They are important because they are usually the first part of the neuron to get the message, after that, the message moves toward the cell body, also called the soma. The soma keeps the neuron alive and healthy. It contains many important structures that help the cell make energy and proteins.
Inside the soma is the nucleus. The nucleus is important because it has the DNA of the cell. It gives instructions for how the neuron should work and helps control the activities of the cell. Another important part is the axon. The axon is like a pathway that carries the electrical message away from the cell body. This is how the neuron sends information to another neuron, a muscle, or a gland.

Some axons are covered by a myelin sheath. The myelin sheath works like insulation around the axon. It helps the signal travel faster and also protects the nerve fiber. The small spaces between the myelin are called nodes of Ranvier. These gaps are important because they help the electrical signal jump along the axon more quickly.

At the end of the neuron are the axon terminals. These terminals release neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers. These chemicals cross a tiny space called the synapse and pass the message to the next cell. Every part of the neuron works together, and if one part is damaged, communication in the body can be affected.

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