There are three main types of neurons: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Sensory neurons receive signals from senses like touch and sight. Motor neurons communicate signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs to coordinate movement. Interneurons pass signals between sensory neurons, other interneurons, and motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. All neurons have the basic functions of receiving signals, integrating the signals, and communicating signals to other cells. Neurons carry out these functions through their specialized anatomy, which includes dendrites to receive signals and axons to transmit them.

1. Neuron
A neuron (also
called neurone or
nerve cell) is a cell that
carries electrical
impulses. Neurons are the
basic units of the nervous
system.
Neuron Structure
Types of neurons:
Sensory neurons
Sensory neurons help you:
Taste,smell,hear,see,feel things
around you.
Motor neurons
Motor neurons play a role in
movement, including voluntary
and involuntary movements.
These neurons allow the brain
and spinal cord to communicate
with muscles, organs, and glands
all over the body.
Interneurons
Interneurons are neural
intermediaries found in your
brain and spinal cord. They’re the
most common type of neuron.
They pass signals from sensory
neurons and other interneurons
to motor neurons and other
interneurons.
The basic functions of a neuron:
If you think about the roles of the
three classes of neurons, you can
make the generalization that all
neurons have three basic
functions. These are to:
1) Receive signals (or
information).
2) Integrate incoming signals (to
determine whether or not the
information should be passed
along).
3) Communicate signals to target
cells (other neurons or muscles
or glands).
These neuronal functions are
reflected in the anatomy of the
neuron.
Prepared by:
Qari Sami Ullah Al-Madani
Supervisor: Professor SM JAWAD
Types of Neurons
(Nerve Cells)
The human body is made up of
trillions of cells. Cells of the
nervous system, called nerve
cells or neurons, are specialized
to carry "messages" through an
electrochemical process. The
human brain has approximately
86 billion neurons. To learn how
neurons carry messages, read
about the action potential.
Neurons come in many different
shapes and sizes. Some of the
smallest neurons have cell bodies
that are only 4 microns wide.
Some of the biggest neurons
have cell bodies that are 100
microns wide. (Remember that 1
micron is equal to one
thousandth of a millimeter!).
Neurons are similar to other cells
in the body because:
Neurons are surrounded by a cell
membrane.
Neurons have a nucleus that
contains genes.
Neurons contain cytoplasm,
mitochondria and other
organelles.
Neurons carry out basic cellular
processes such as protein
synthesis and energy production.
However, neurons differ from
other cells in the body because:
Neurons have specialize cell parts
called Dendrites and
axons.Dendrites bring electrical
signals to the cell body and axons
take information away from the
cell body.
Neurons communicate with each
other through an electrochemical
process.
Neurons contain some
specialized structures (for
example, synapses) and
chemicals (for example,
neurotransmitters).