Introduction To Excitable Tissues

Introduction to Excitable Tissues
Excitable tissue
• Tissues which are capable of generation and
transmission of electrochemical impulses along the
membrane. Examples are neurons, nerves and
muscles.
Structure of a Neuron
myelin sheath
PARTS OF NEURON: node of Ranvier

Dendron and Dendrites: Nerve fibres that transmit nerve impulse towards cell body. End
branches of dendrons are dendrites. Dendrites receive nerve impulses from other
neurons.
Cell body: cell body of motor neuron is irregular in shape. It contains the nucleus and
controls cell activities
Axon: nerve fiber that transmit nerve impulses away from cell body. Axons are usually
long.
Myelin sheath: layer of fatty substances enclosing nerve fibers. Insulates axon like a
rubber sheath.
Nodes of Ranvier: regions where myelin sheath is absent. Allows nerve impulses to jump,
speeding up transmission of impulses
Axon terminal/synaptic terminal: release chemicals which transfer the message to the
next neuron.
Structure of Neuron
• Cell body is similar to any
general cell
 Diversity in size and shape
depending on type of
neuron
• Specialties:
 Nissl bodies
 Neurofibrillae
 Absence of centriole loss
of power of cell-division
NEURONAL SOMA: SPECIALTIES
• Nissl Bodies
 Similar to rough RER
 Absent in axon hillock (initial segment)
 Number:
 Increases during heightened neural activity
 Disintegrate nerve fatigue/injury/poisoning
 Function: Protein synthesis
• Neurofibrillae
 Cytoplasmic network of fibres (microtubules and
filaments)
 Function: Transport channels
NEURONAL DENDRITE
• Most neurons have:
 Multiple dendrites with complex branches
 Generally short (exception: sensory nerves in
PNS and CNS)
 Arborising peripheral ends synapse with
large number of other neurons
 Contain Nissl granules, mitochondria and
neurofibrillae
• Function:
 To receive chemical signals from axon termini
 To convert them into small electric impulses
NEURONAL AXON
• Single axon per neuron by rule
(exception: Dorsal spinal sensory root
ganglion cell)
 Contains microtubules and filaments
 Branching termination forms synaptic
knobs (neurotransmitter-rich vesicles,
mitochondria and neurofibrillae)
• Dimensions:
 Diversity in diameter (1–20 µm)
 Length  ≤1mtr
• Types:
 Myelinated (insulated) or
 Unmyelinated
• Conducts AP (nerve impulses) to targets
NERVE FIBRE/TRUNK/FASCICLE
• Nerve fibre: Thread like extension of a
neuron
• Myelin sheath: derivative of Schwann
cells (oligodendrocytes in CNS)
 Alternate, spiralling, compressed,
concentric layers of lipids and protein
• Lipid layer
(cholesterol, glycolipids and
phospholipids): Prevents the passage of
ions across
• Nerve trunk/fascicle:
Nerve fibres covered by the connective
tissue — endoneurium and bundled by
perineurium
CLASSIFICATION OF NEURONS
• Classified according to
1) Morphology
2) Function
MORPHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
• Unipolar Neurons
• Multipolar Neuron
• Bilpolar Neurons
UNIPOLAR NEURONS
• Unipolar neurons - cell body has a
single neurite that divides a short
distance from the cell body into
two branches, one proceeding to
some peripheral structure and the
other entering the central nervous
system • Examples -found in the
posterior root ganglion.
MULTIPOLAR NEURONS
• Multipolar neurons have a
number of neurites arising
from the cell body .
• With the exception of the
long process, the axon, the
remainder of the neurites are
dendrites.
• Most neurons of the brain
and spinal cord are of this
type.
BIPOLAR NEURONS
• Bipolar neurons possess an
elongated cell body, from
each end of which a single
neurite emerges .
• Examples of this type of
neuron are found in the
retinal bipolar cells.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
• Sensory or afferent neuron
• Motor or efferent neuron
• Interneuron or association neuron
Sensory or Afferent Neurons
• Periphery of the body to the Central nervous system.
• These neurons are usually concentrated in areas called
ganglia and their dendrite branches extend to the skin
or to sensory organs and act as sensory receptors
(either directly or indirectly).
Motor or Efferent Neurons
• These neurons carry impulses Away from the cell body and thus the
central nervous system to muscles, gland, or some other “effector” to
produce a certain action.
• Most of the neurons in the spinal cord and many of those in the brain are
motor neurons.
INTERNEURONS Or ASSOCIATION
NEURONS
• This type of neuron is restricted to the central nervous system.
• They are also called connector neurons.
• These neurons act as bridges between sensory and motor neurons
or relay impulses to various functional centers of the brain or spinal
cord.
GLIAL CELLS
• About 90% of the cells within the CNS are not
neurons but glial cells or neuroglia. Despite
their large numbers, glial cells occupy only
about half the volume of the brain because
they do not branch as extensively as neurons
do
• Unlike neurons, the glial cells can be replaced
if they are damaged.
Functions of Glial Cells
• Glial cells do not initiate or conduct nerve impulses.
• They communicate with neurons and among themselves
by means of chemical signals.
• Glial cells help support the neurons both physically and
metabolically.
• Maintain the composition of the specialized extracellular
environment surrounding the neurons within the narrow
limits optimal for normal neuronal function. Hence help
in maintaining homeostasis.
• There are four major types of glial cells in the
CNS: the astrocyte, the oligodendrocyte, the
ependymal, and the microglial cell
Astrocytes
• Astrocytes get their name due to the fact that they look somewhat like a star
• – They have a central cell body surrounded by several cytoplasmic projections.
• Form the blood brain barrier
• Store glycogen
• Also synthesize neurotransmitters
• Form gap junctions
Microglial Cells
• Microglia are the immune defense cells of
the CNS. These scavengers are similar to
monocytes, a type of white blood cell that can
migrate to tissues as a frontline defense agent
Ependymal Cells
• Usually cube-shaped
• Form the lining of the brain’s ventricles and the
spinal columns central canal.
• Produce cerebrospinal fluid
• Clear liquid that fills internal cavities in the brain
and spinal cord
• Protects the brain and spinal cord both
mechanically and immunologically
• Ependymal cells have cilia to help circulate CSF
THANK YOU

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What are the main parts of a neuron?

What are the different types of neurons?

Introduction to Excitable Tissues

PARTS OF NEURON: node of Ranvier

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