Neurons (Nerve Cells)
A type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body. The messages are sent by a weak electrical current. Also called nerve cell.
Part of: Nerves
About Neurons
The basic working unit of the nervous system is a cell called a neuron. The human brain contains about 100 billion neurons. A neuron consists of a cell body containing the nucleus, and special extensions called axons (pronounced AK-sonz) and dendrites (pronounced DEN-drahytz).
Neurons communicate with each other using axons and dendrites. When a neuron receives a message from another neuron, it sends an electrical signal down the length of its axon. At the end of the axon, the electrical signal is converted into a chemical signal, and the axon releases chemical messengers called neurotransmitters (pronounced noor-oh-TRANS-mit-erz).
The neurotransmitters are released into the space between the end of an axon and the tip of a dendrite from another neuron. This space is called a synapse (pronounced SIN-aps). The neurotransmitters travel the short distance through the synapse to the dendrite. The dendrite receives the neurotransmitters and converts them back into an electrical signal. The signal then travels through the neuron, to be converted back into a chemical signal when it gets to neighboring neurons.
Motor neurons transmit messages from the brain to control voluntary movement. Sensory neurons detect incoming light, sound, odor, taste, pressure, and heat and send messages to the brain. Other parts of the nervous system regulate involuntary processes, such as the release of hormones like adrenaline, dilation of the eye in response to light, or regulation of the digestive system, which are involved in the function of the body’s organs and glands.
The brain is made up of many networks of communicating neurons. In this way, different parts of the brain can “talk” to each other as well as work together to send messages to the rest of the body. NIH – National Institute of Child Health and Human Development