To receive information and transmit it to other cells.

• Santiago Ramon y Cajal - found that small gaps separate neurons
• Motor: conducts impluses to a muscle (soma in spinal cord)
• Sensory: conducts information to the spinal cord
• Afferent axon: brings info into a structure
• Efferent axon: carries info away

• Dendrites
• Soma (cell body)
• Axon
• Presynaptic terminals

Many different functions.

• Astrocytes wrap around presynaptic terminals, helps enable axon to send messages in waves
• Microglia: remove waste
• Oligodendrocytes: build myelin sheath

For protection from viruses, backeteria, harmful chemicals.

• Small uncharged particles can pass freely (oxygen, CO2)
• Uses active transport; expends energy to pump chemicals

Neurons depend almost entirely on glucose (which in turn requires O2).

• To use, body needs Vitamin B1.

Description