The 9 parts of a neuron (and their characteristics)

Have you ever wondered how the human brain works? How can we have the ability to think, imagine or perceive the world around us? From intelligence to personality that characterizes us, all the details that make us who we are, what we can do and the ability to continue growing, comes from our brain, have you already considered that?

Many people underestimate the reach of the brain, it even comes to be seen only as that part rigid and logical that keeps us anchored to reality and sometimes prevents us from getting carried away by the flow of life. When this is completely wrong, while there is a side of our brain that focuses on the logical elements, we also have a large part dedicated to creativity and our emotions.

As you can see, our brain is in constant work and movement, however this is due to connections neuronal cells that abound in every corner of it, thanks to which we can interpret and generate information new. but what are these neurons? What is its importance in the brain?

Well, we will solve all these doubts below in this article, where

you will be able to know everything about neurons and their characteristics that give life to the most complex organ of the human being.

What are neurons?

Known in the same way as brain nerve cells, they are the cells found in the system nervous system and are in charge of processing, storing and transmitting the information we receive from the Exterior. Through a process of chemical and electrical signals that can be connected through neurotransmitters, that is, the messenger that is responsible for transmitting information between each neuron.

The chemical process by which neurons acquire all kinds of information is due to the excitation or activation of the plastic membrane of the cells. themselves, which are responsible for the reception of stimuli and the conduction of the nervous impulse, that is, the response generated by said stimulus. We can then see it as a huge center for receiving and exchanging information., where each element that arrives, is processed, stored and generates responses.

Why are neurons important?

Imagine for a moment that you cannot communicate with anyone, at some point you may feel as if you do not exist at all in the world well, that is what would happen if neurons did not exist. Remember that they are in charge not only of understanding the information but of responding to it, through communication that it has with the rest of the neurons and in this way we can understand the world around us and develop in this.

But if there is no communication in our brain, would we be able to process the stimuli that come to us? This is why, when there is a degenerative disease, brain injury or developmental diseases that compromise the functions neuronal, people have negative conflicts to function in the world, since the abilities to interpret are lost, store or respond to stimuli and therefore have difficulties in cognitive, psychomotor skills and even emotional

Parts of a neuron and their characteristics

Next you will know how these neurons are composed so they can do their jobs. We are going to know the parts of neurons.

1. Cellular body

Also known as the neuronal soma, it is the center or ‘body’ of the neuron, you can see it as the most wide in the shape of a flower or star and is the place where the metabolic activity of the neuron. That is, where all the electrical processes of the same occur to carry out the transmission of the information and where it forms the genetic material for cell survival (cytoplasm), through the generation of proteins.

But they also contain different types of diverse cells that make up our genetic code, from mitochondria to chromosomes.

2. Axon

It is the main extension or ‘tail’ of the neuron that extends from the cell body, it is responsible for carrying the electrical impulse generated to the synaptic buttons. This occurs after the activation of the soma and the reception of neurotransmitters, to then generate the necessary response to the received stimulus, up to the neuron that will receive it.

So we can interpret the axon as a kind of information tube, where it carries the action generated in the body up to the buttons in charge of distributing said response to the next place.

3. Dendrites

These are also extensions that arise from the soma of the neuron, but they differ from the axon in that there are several extensions of a shorter size that intertwine and then separate at their ends and meet at the opposite end of the axon. In fact, it seems as if they were branches that extend from the very center and cover it in its entirety.

The function of the dendrites is to capture the neurotransmitters of the nearby neuron that carries the message generated in the soma and then sends this information towards the soma of its own neuron. That is, they are responsible for capturing the messages from neighboring neurons to store them in their own body, so that it generates the corresponding chemical and electrical response.

4. Core

As its name indicates, it is the nucleus or functional center of neurons, it is located within the soma and is considered as a delimited structure, that is, it is separated from all those elements found within the cytoplasm, why than? Because within the nucleus the DNA of the neuron is protected. So it is responsible for guarding the genetic material and the quality of life of the neuron.

5. Myelin sheaths

This is a very important structure within neurons, since they are responsible for facilitating the passage of the information generated in the soma, allowing the electrical impulse to flow without any problem within the axon. These are a kind of capsules made of proteins and fats, which cover the axon until they reach the synaptic buttons.

When there is a problem in the production of myelin, responses are slowed down and the electrical impulses of the neurons, since they cannot travel their way with the appropriate speed.

6. Axonal cone

This is one of the simplest parts of the neuron but it is still important for its functioning. It is the structure that passes from the cell body to shape the axon, through the enlargement of the soma.

7. Synaptic buttons

They are found at the end of the axon after it divides into two fragments, where small branches with small buttons are formed, quite similar to dendrites. But, instead of receiving the electrical impulses, they are responsible for releasing the neurotransmitters with the responses generated in the soma so that the closest neuron receives it.

8. Nissl substance

Also called as Nissl bodies, it is a set of small particles or granules that are present within the cytoplasm, from the soma to the dendrites that extend from it, but neither the axon nor the buttons are found synaptic.

It has one of the most important functions of neurons, which is the production of proteins so that they can correctly carry the electrical impulses generated.

9. Ranvier's nodules

Remember that we mentioned that myelin sheaths are capsules that are found throughout the length of the axon, well, these are not They are continuous but are slightly separated from each other and it is this space that is left over what is known as Nodules of Ranvier. The function of these nodules is that they can absorb sodium and potassium electrolytes that are produced with the electrical impulse and which help them to travel without complications and with more speed in the axon.

Types of neurons

To close this article we will tell you what are the types of neurons that exist in our brain, and its main functions.

1. Sensory neurons

These neurons are responsible for receiving stimuli that we can perceive from the outside through our five senses (smell, sight, touch, taste and hearing). They also transmit the signals captured by the internal organs to the brain.

2. Motor neurons

These are responsible for emitting neural signals to the muscles, when the impulses occur that emit a response, so we can be able to move our body according to the need that let's have.

3. Interneurons

They are a type of intermediate neurons, that is, they act as mediators between sensory neurons and motor neurons. So they ensure that messages are received and sent correctly.

4. Relay neurons

Considered as large neurons, whose function is to send different information, from one part of the central nervous system to another without having to cross the nervous system peripheral.