Neuron Structure and Resting Membrane Potential
Classified in Biology
Written on in 
English with a size of 2.56 KB
Neuron Structure and Function
The basic unit of structure and function in the nervous system is called the neuron, or nerve cell. Neurons (NYOO-rons) conduct impulses throughout the nervous system. As shown below, a neuron is a long cell that consists of three regions:
- Cell body
- Dendrites (DEN-drites) are branchlike extensions of the neuron that receive impulses and carry them toward the cell body.
- Axon is an extension of the neuron. It carries impulses away from the cell body and toward other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Neurons fall into three categories: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.
- Sensory neurons carry impulses from the body to the spinal cord and brain.
- Interneurons are found within the brain and spinal cord. They process incoming impulses and pass response impulses on to motor neurons.
- Motor neurons carry the response impulses away from the brain and spinal cord to a muscle or gland.
What Occurs When the Neuron Is at Rest?
You have learned that the plasma membrane controls the concentration of ions in a cell. Because the plasma membrane of a neuron is more permeable to potassium ions (K+) than to sodium ions (Na+), more potassium ions are inside the cell membrane than outside it. Similarly, more sodium ions are outside the cell membrane than inside it.
The neuron membrane also contains an active transport system, called the sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) pump. The pump uses ATP (the cell's energy-carrying molecule) to pump three sodium ions out of the cell for every two potassium ions it pumps in. This increases the concentration of positive charges on the outside of the membrane relative to the inside. In addition, the presence of many negatively charged proteins and organic phosphates means that the inside of the membrane is more negatively charged than the outside.
Under these conditions, which exist when the cell is at rest, the plasma membrane is said to be polarized. A polarized membrane has the potential to transmit an impulse.