Nerve cells are called neurons. The human brain has about one billion
neurons. Each neuron is a cell that uses biochemical reactions to receive,
process, and transmit information. In simple terms, a neuron is a cell
specialized to conduct and generate electrical impulses and to carry information
from one part of the brain to another. Thanks to their numerous branch-like
processes, neurons interconnect forming a massive network of "wires" that extend
throughout the body. By sending messages across this network, the different
parts of the human body interact and communicate with each other.
Neurons communicate through an electrochemical process. Sensory receptors
interact with stimuli such as light, sound, temperature, and pain which is
transformed into a code that is carried to the brain by a chain of neurons. Then
systems of neurons in the brain interpret this information. The information is
carried along axons and dendrites because of changes in electrical properties
which we call action potential. An action potential is initiated when a
messenger attaches itself to a receptor. When that occurs, an electrical signal
is triggered to be generated through the neuron. Once the signal reaches the end
of an axon, which is at the end of a neuron, a neurotransmitter is released and
the process repeats.
There are several different types of neurons. Sensory neurons carry signals from
the outer parts of your body into the central nervous system or CNS. For
example, if somebody puts ice on your hand, the sensory neurons send the message
from your hand to your central nervous system telling you the ice is cold. Motor
neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts of your
body doing the opposite of sensory neurons. For example, if you were driving,
the motor neurons would take the message from your central nervous system to
your hand telling you to turn the key. Receptors sense the environment and
encode this information into electrochemical messages sent by sensory neurons.
Inter neurons act as highways or bridges connecting neurons within the brain and
spinal cord.
Source Courtesy :
http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/LilburnES/PromoteGA/biochemistry/Neuron_introduction.html
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