Topic > Types of Nerve Cells

Nerve cells are also known as neurons and transmit and receive electronerve impulses. They can be found throughout the body and are connected throughout the body, but are primarily found around the central nervous system. They are connected to other neurons or to muscle and/or organ cells. Nerve impulses travel electrically along the neuron and are transmitted by neurotransmitters, which are chemical transmitters, to the next neuron through a small gap, called a synapse, between the neuron and the adjacent cell, known as the target cell. In addition to neurons, the nervous system contains a large number of other types of cells, called neuroglia, which protect, nourish, and support neurons. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The three types of neurons are sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. The first type of neurons are sensory neurons, which have to do with touch and the ability to feel pain. Sensory neurons are found in the skin, muscles, joints, and organs that indicate pressure, temperature, and pain. There are some sensory neurons in the nose and tongue that perceive tastes and smells. Neurons in the inner ear are sensitive to vibrations and provide us with information about sound. The rods and cones of the retina are sensitive to light and allow us to see. The second type of neuron is motor neurons, which can stimulate muscle cells throughout the body. The third neuron is the interneurons, which are the neurons that provide connections between sensory and motor neurons, as well as each other. These neurons are best known for their role in making the central nervous system and brain, all of which are interneurons. Neurons are divided into three functional classes. These classes arise from the number of cell extensions found in the cell body or soma. Unipolar neurons are nerve cells that have an extension connected to the soma. These cells are often used in afferent nervous system functions, meaning it involves the senses. Bipolar neurons are nerve cells that have two projections and are used in specialized sensory detection, such as in smell and vision. Multipolar neurons are nerve cells that have many cellular extensions, including dendrites, which receive pathways, and typically an axon, which is a delivery pathway. A typical neuron has all the parts that any cell would have and some specialized structures that distinguish it. The main portion of the cell is called the soma or cell body. Neurons have a large number of extending arms. These arms are called dendrites. They often look like tree branches or thorns extending from the cell body. The primary function of dendrites is to receive chemical messages from other neurons. Nerve cells have another extension other than dendrites. This extension is called axons. Dendrites help neurons connect to each other and to other cells, while the axon helps the axon transmit electrochemical signals through action potentials. Areas with a large number of cell bodies are called gray matter. Longer axons are usually covered by a myelin sheath, a series of fatty cells that have wrapped around an axon several times. They perform a similar function to the insulation around the electrical wire. The end of the nerve fiber has many names such as button, synaptic knob, axon foot, etc. Its job is to convert the chemical signal so that the chemical message can be transmitted to the next nerve cell. Between the axon termination and the dendrite of the next nerve cell.