Types and Functions of Neurons

Questions and Answers

What are multipolar neurons?

Have numerous processes, with many dendrites and one axon.

What are bipolar neurons?

Have 2 processes - 1 dendrite and 1 axon on either side of the cell body.

What characterizes unipolar neurons?

Have only 1 process, an axon, leading to and from the neuron cell body.

What are the 3 classifications of neurons based on their functions?

Sensory, interneuron (association neuron), and motor neuron. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sensory (afferent) neuron?

Detects changes in the environment and produces an action potential that travels along the axon to the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is an interneuron?

Structurally a multipolar neuron, makes up about 90% of neurons in the CNS. Signup and view all the answers

What does a motor (efferent) neuron do?

Takes the impulse out of the spinal cord to an effector (muscle or gland). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Types of Neurons

Multipolar Neurons:
- Feature many processes including multiple dendrites and a single axon.
- Constitute the majority of neurons in the Central Nervous System (CNS).
- Examples include motor neurons and interneurons.
Bipolar Neurons:
- Characterized by two processes: one dendrite and one axon on opposite sides of the cell body.
- Found in special sensory areas, including the retina of the eye, olfactory (nose) cells, and inner ear.
Unipolar Neurons:
- Have only one process, which serves as an axon that connects to the neuron cell body.
- Small dendrites branch off the axon rather than directly attaching to the cell body.
- Function primarily as sensory neurons, transporting sensory data from skin, muscles, and organs to the spinal cord.

Functions of Neurons

Functional Classifications:
- Neurons can be classified based on their function into three categories: sensory neurons, interneurons (association neurons), and motor neurons.
Sensory (Afferent) Neurons:
- Detect environmental changes through stimuli using receptors associated with dendrites.
- Convert stimuli into action potentials that travel along the axon to the spinal cord.
- Structurally unipolar and located in the spinal cord; their axons synapse with motor neurons or interneurons.
Interneurons:
- Structurally classified as multipolar neurons.
- Comprise approximately 90% of the neurons in the CNS.
- Facilitate communication in the spinal cord by either connecting with a series of interneurons leading to the brain or synapsing with motor neurons.
Motor (Efferent) Neurons:
- Responsible for transmitting impulses away from the spinal cord to effectors, such as muscles or glands.
- Typically classified as multipolar neurons.

Description

This quiz explores the different types of neurons, including multipolar, bipolar, and unipolar neurons. It delves into their characteristics, locations, and primary functions within the nervous system. Understand how neurons are classified based on their structure and function with this comprehensive quiz.