The anatomy of the neuron.
The neuron has an essential function for the nervous system in receiving sensory input, sending
out motor commands for
... [Show More] the muscles, and transforming and relaying the electrical signals
There are three main parts to the neuron:
o dendrites, axon, and soma
When a neuron sends out an electrical impulse or message to another neuron, an action potential
is activated and sent out throughout the long thin structure axon.
There is a gap at the end,
o called the synapse,
that the electrical impulse must cross over and carried to another neuron's
dendrites
As the message reaches the dendrite, it determines whether the neuron will
release the action potential and restart the process
A myelin sheath made of glia cells called oligodendrocytes or Schwann
covers these axons and is essential in accelerating the axon's electrical
impulses.
The major components that make up the subcortical structures.
Diencephalon
pituitary gland
limbic structures
basal ganglia
One of the components plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction.
The limbic structure.
Two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain play a major role in motor
control.
dopamine and acetylcholine.
o ****GABA is primarily in BG but has neuronal extensions into the NS.
The following is the function of glia cells in the central nervous system.
The glia cells have essential functions in providing
o support, protection, and defense to the nervous tissue
An oligodendrocyte, a glial cell,
o forms myelin, which helps form a sheath around the nerve fibers that increase
impulse conduction speed.
Other cells, such as satellite glia and astrocytes,
o help the neurons by
surrounding and holding them in their position, supply them with oxygen
and nutrients, eliminate dead neurons and pathogens (Moini & Piran, 2020).
The concept of "neuroplasticity."
The neuroplasticity concept is the ability of a brain to adapt to changes due to experience
and environment.
The brain can determine what neural connection is useful and not useful.
The concept shows how the brain can master new skills, store memories, and recover after an
injury.
o Some examples that the brain can learn and remember are learning a new language
and learning to play music. [Show Less]