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.

[Lesly Betancur]

Nerve cells, or neurons, are the fundamental units of the nervous system. Each part of a neuron has a unique structure and function that contributes to its role in transmitting information throughout the body. Neurons have three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and axon. Together, these components enable neurons to effectively communicate with each other and with other parts of the body.
Components of a nerve cell and their importance:

1. Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus and other essential cellular components. Maintains the neuron’s health and metabolism, integrates incoming signals from dendrites, and directs protein synthesis and energy production.
Importance: It is the metabolic center of the neuron; without it, the neuron cannot survive or function.

2. Dendrites: Short, branching extensions that receive signals from other neurons and transmit these signals toward the cell body.
Importance: Act as the “listening” parts of the neuron. The more dendrites a neuron has, the more information it can receive.

3. Axon: A long, slender projection that can range from very short to over a meter in length. Transmits electrical impulses (action potentials) away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.
Importance: Acts as the “sending” component; essential for long-distance communication within the nervous system.

4. Myelin Sheath: A fatty layer that wraps around the axon, formed by glial cells (Schwann cells in the PNS and oligodendrocytes in the CNS). Insulates the axon and increases the speed of signal transmission.
Importance: Without it, signals would travel more slowly and could degrade—this is observed in conditions like multiple sclerosis.

5. Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon that allow ions to flow in and out. Enable signal propagation via saltatory conduction.
Importance: Increases the speed and efficiency of electrical impulses along the axon.

6. Axon Terminals (Synaptic Boutons): Small swellings at the end of the axon that release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft to communicate with the next neuron or target cell.
Importance: Crucial for neuron-to-neuron or neuron-to-muscle communication.

7. Synapse: The junction between two neurons, including the axon terminal, synaptic cleft, and the receiving dendrite or cell. Transmits signals chemically using neurotransmitters.
Importance: The site of most neural processing and learning. Synapses form the foundation for memory, behavior, and complex brain functions.

8. Nucleus: Located within the cell body. Contains DNA and regulates gene expression and cellular activities.
Importance: Directs the activities of the neuron and is vital for cell survival and function.

[Yona Souza]

Lesly you highlighted the definition and importance of all parts of the nerve cell well, you summarized the information in a way that is easy to learn! thank you for sharing.

[Leonisa Avelino]

A nerve cell, also called a neuron, is the basic working unit of the nervous system. It is designed to receive, process, and transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons have several key components, each with an important role:
1. Cell Body (Soma)
• Function: Contains the nucleus and other organelles. It’s the control center of the neuron and keeps the cell alive. It processes information received from the dendrites.
2. Nucleus
• Function: Found inside the cell body, the nucleus contains the cell’s DNA and controls the neuron’s activities, including growth and repair.
3. Dendrites
• Function: These are tree-like extensions from the cell body. They receive signals from other neurons and carry them toward the cell body.
4. Axon
• Function: A long, slender projection that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
5. Myelin Sheath
• Function: A fatty covering around the axon that helps speed up the electrical signal. It also protects the axon. It’s like insulation around an electrical wire.
6. Nodes of Ranvier
• Function: Gaps in the myelin sheath that help boost the signal speed by allowing the electrical impulse to jump from one node to the next.
7. Axon Terminals (Synaptic Terminals)
• Function: The ends of the axon where the electrical signal turns into a chemical signal. They release neurotransmitters into the synapse (the gap between two neurons).
8. Synapse
• Function: The tiny gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another. This is where neurotransmitters are released to send the message across.

Each part of the neuron works together to ensure messages are sent quickly and accurately throughout the body, allowing us to move, think, feel, and respond to our environment.

[Cristina Restrepo]

The nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body. The neuron or nerve cell has three main components: dendrites, cell body (soma) and axon.

The dendrites are branch-like extensions of the cell body and their purpose is to transfer information from other neurons to the cell body. Their function is primarily to receive signas from other neurons.

The cell body or soma is the main body of the neuron and it contains the nucleus. Its main purpose is to control the neuron’s overall function and integrates incoming signals from dendrites. Its function is to contain the nucleus and process information received from dendrites.

The axon is a long, cylindrical projection extending from the cell body. Its purpose is to carry signals or electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or target cells, such as muscle cells.

The axon terminals are the end of the axon and its purpose is to form connections with other neurons at synapses.

The synapses are the junctions where neurons communicate with each other by releasing neurotransmitters. Their function is to transmit information or nerve impulses from one neuron to another.

The myelin-sheath is a fatty layer that insulates axons. Its function is to insulate and protect the nerve cell and speed up the transmission of electrical signals along the nerve fiber.

The nodes of ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath that allow for faster signal conduction. Their main function is to facilitate rapid electrical signal transmission along myelinated axons through saltatory conduction.

[Leonisa Avelino]

Hi Christina,
I really liked how clearly you explained each part of the neuron and its function. You made the connections between the structures and their roles very easy to follow. Great job breaking it down so well!

[Cristina Restrepo]

Leonisa, I am glad you found my explanation easy to follow. You also did a great job outlining each component of the nerve cell and its function as well as pointing out their importance.

[Milleny Arantess]

Cristina, you did so well explaining each different component, especially the axon which is super hard to understand without a visual so good job!

[Joseph Matthews]

The nerve cell, which equivalent term is a neuron, is the fundamental unit of the nervous system and is specially designed to transmit signals and information rapidly and efficiently between different parts of the body and can be metaphorically described as the body’s electrical wiring system.
The neuron is divided into a series of key components with each one individually performing a fundamental role in the receiving, processing, and transmitting of signals that allow the body and brain to function properly. Herewith is the functional profile and importance of each component of the neuron:
• Cell Body – Which Equivalent Term is Soma
Functional profile: The cell body contains the nucleus and other sub-cell components such as mitochondria and ribosomes which are responsible for maintaining the neuron’s health and metabolic functions. The nucleus houses the neuron’s genetic material which control protein synthesis and other essential activities.
Importance: Without the soma, the neuron would literally not be able survive much less effectively process information.
• Dendrites
Functional profile: These are short plant-like extensions emanating from the soma that receive chemical or electrical signals from neighboring neurons and are covered with receptors that detect neurotransmitters.
Importance: The dendrites increase surface area connections which allow the neuron to integrate multiple signals all at one time making complex processing possible.
• Axon
Functional profile: The axon is a long, thin wire-like projection that carries electrical impulses away from the soma toward other neurons and muscles.
Importance: Some axons are extreme in length which can extend from the spinal cord all the way to the toes. This ensures rapid transmission of nerve impulses and information over very long distances within the body.
• Myelin Sheath
Functional profile: The axon is covered by a myelin sheath which is a fatty-type insulating layer that is produced by specialized glial cells as in the case of Schwann cells or oligodendrocytes. Myelin greatly increases the speed of electrical transmission by allowing the impulse to jump between gaps in the sheath called Nodes of Ranvier.
Importance: Without myelin, these signal jumps between the gaps in the Nodes of Ranvier would be much slower and less efficient that can lead to nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
• Axon Terminals – Which Equivalent Term is Synaptic Boutons
Functional Profile: The axon terminals are the round type structures at the endpoint of the neuron. When an electrical impulse reaches the terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
Importance: These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the next cell, which are absolutely essential in the efficient communication from the neuron to the muscles and between neurons themselves.
Synapse
Functional Profile: The synapse is the junction gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron.
Importance: The synapse enables essential chemical and electrical communication to occur which, in turn, allows for networks of neurons to pass signals and impulses rapidly and efficiently across key brain functions and the nervous system as a whole.

[Yona Souza]

Joseph, thanks for sharing the information, you provided very nice details, and it shows that you put in effort when summarizing the research you’ve done. Well Done!

[Leonisa Avelino]

Hi Joseph,
I like the way you broke down each part of the neuron and explaining their functions so clearly. I especially liked how you highlighted the importance of the myelin sheath and how it impacts the speed of signal transmission. Your examples, like the axons reaching from the spinal cord to the toes, really helped put things into perspective. Great work!

[Cristina Restrepo]

Joseph, thank you for giving a thorough explanation of the subject. I specifically liked how you highlighted the importance of each component of the nerve cell. It really shows the time you put in researching the subject.

[Joseph Matthews]

Leonisa – once again – as in the previous case of arteries, veins and the chambers of the heart functions – you are able to synopsize the description and importance of the components of this very technical and complex subject of the nerve cell into a succinct format without forgoing substantive content. Bravo!

[Joseph Matthews]

The same goes for the approach that Cristina provided in her description of each component of the nerve cell and its functional importance following the A-B-C rule of keeping the text “Applicable”, “Brief” and “Clear”. This indicates to me, a lay person in this subject of the nervous system, that you possess sound base knowledge in this area which is a key leveraging factor.

[Yona Souza]

There are about 7 components of a nerve cell:

Soma, also known as the cell body, can control the cell’s activity and is responsible for the overall function of the cell since it contains the nucleus and the cells’ genetic material.

Dendrites: Are extensions of the cell body; they are extremely important for transmitting signals and receiving signals as well. Because of their branch structure, dendrites enhance the ability to receive and send information.

Axon: Looks like a long tube, and it transports electrical impulses away from the soma by transmitting the signals to other neurons, glands, or muscles.

Myelin Sheath: surrounds the axon and enhances the transmission of a signal because the signal can efficiently jump/skip from axon to axon nodes. They’re also extremely important for the protection of the axon and preventing its damage.

Nodes of Ranvier: These are the gaps in the myelin sheathes that allow for signals to jump/skip along the axon; these are key in making the transmission more efficient.

Axon Terminal: These are the ends of the axon, and they release the neurotransmitter into the synapse of the cell

Synapse: is the space between two neurons, or a neuron and a target cell. This space is where the release and reception of signals happen, the communication between cells.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by Yona Souza.

[Milleny Arantess]

Yona, you explained every different component so well! Thank you for the explanations.

[Lesly Betancur]

Yona, I enjoyed reading your detailed breakdown and explanation of each part of the nerve cell, as well as how they work together to transmit signals efficiently.

[Milleny Arantess]

Nerves or neurons are cells that line the brain and branch out to every part of the body. These cells main function is signaling and signal sending/receiving.

Nerves have three main components: cell body (soma), dendrites, and axon.

Cell body(soma)- This is the main part of the neuron. It contains the nucleus and every other organelle that this cell needs for it’s metabolism and function.

Dendrites- These are the branching arms/extensions that receive the signals from other neurons and sensory cells

Axon- The long and slendor part of the cell that extends from the cell body. Axons transmit signals to other neurons and sensory cells.

Nerves have four more components: Myelin sheath, synapses, axon terminals, and nodes of raniver.

Myelin sheath- This is a fatty layer that is located on the axon and it insulates the axon and allows faster transmissions of signals

Synapses- The space between neurons where neurons can communicate with each other and other cells. It’s also where neurotransmitters are released.

Axon terminals- The end of the axon where it connects to the synapse and releases neurotransmitters.

Nodes of raniver- these are spaces between the myelin sheaths where the axon is exposed. They help transmission be faster and more efficient.

[Lesly Betancur]

Milleny, great job outlining the main parts of a neuron and how each one plays a role in sending and receiving signals.

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