What is the structure of a neuron, and how are neural impulses generated?

1 Answer

A neuron is a cell with a cyton (cell body), an axon and many dendrites. This is the structure of the neuron described generally in various books and this type of neuron is called multipolar neuron.

Explanation:

wikipedia

If the axon is covered with a fatty covering, it is called myelinated neuron and that covering is called myelin sheath. If no such covering is present, then it is a nonmyelinated neuron. The figure above shows myelinated neuron, which has a higher conductivity because of the insulating sheath on it.

Conduction of neural impulse depends upon the following factors:

  1. Concentration of Na+ and K+ ions
  2. Membrane permeability

The conduction takes place through the Na+/K+ pump. 3 Na+ get out of the axon and 1 K+ gets inside in response to a stimulus. This changes the overall ionic balance of the cell and hence generates an action potential.

http://www.vce.bioninja.com.au

https://www.slideshare.net