Cells are the elementary building slabs of living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells, all with their own focussed function. Cells are the basic structures of all living organisms. Cells deliver structure for the body, take in nutrients from food and carry out significant function.
Published in Chapter:
Structure and Function of Cells
Shazia Ali (Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), India), Sumit Kumar (National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi, India), Asma Ali (Independent Researcher, India), and Syed Irtiza (Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), India)
Copyright: © 2020
|Pages: 17
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-2860-0.ch003
Abstract
Neurons are the elementary structures that process information in the CNS. They are electrically excitable cells that process and transmit information around the nervous system. Neurons communicate information either by electrical or by chemical signaling that occurs through synapses. Neurons are the main part of nervous system consisting of a number of specialised types. Neuronal structure is similar to other body cells, having common features: Neurons are enclosed in a cell membrane known as a plasma membrane. The nucleus of a neuron compromises of chromosomes and genetic information. Neurons comprise of cytoplasm, mitochondria, and other organelles. The cellular processes take place in a neuron. Ribosomes are used for production of proteins, and mitochondria are for metabolic action acting as powerhouse of cell. Neurons comprise a Golgi complex that has a system of vesicles that secretes hormones and other products. The difference in neurons or nerve cells from other body cells is that extensions originate from the central body of the neuron.