What are neurons and what are their key properties?

Neurons are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. Their key properties include excitability and conductivity, which allow them to transmit electrical impulses.

What are the main structural parts of a neuron?

A neuron consists of three main parts: the cell body (soma), which contains the nucleus and organelles; dendrites, which are short, branched processes that conduct impulses toward the cell body; and the axon, a single long process that conducts impulses away from the cell body.

How are neurons classified based on polarity?

Neurons are classified by polarity into three types: pseudo-unipolar, with one bifurcating process in sensory ganglia; bipolar, with one axon and one dendrite in areas like the retina; and multipolar, with multiple dendrites and a single axon in the central nervous system.

What are ganglia and what types exist?

Ganglia are clusters of neuron cell bodies located outside the central nervous system. The main types are sensory ganglia, which contain unipolar neurons in cranial or spinal nerves, and autonomic ganglia, which contain multipolar neurons for sympathetic or parasympathetic signaling.

What is the difference between gray matter and white matter?

Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies, while white matter consists of myelinated axons. This distinction is based on the composition of nervous tissue, with axons often bundled into tracts or nerves.

How do sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia differ in location?

Sympathetic ganglia are located away from target organs, whereas parasympathetic ganglia are situated near or within target organs. This difference affects how autonomic signals are relayed in the body.

Neurons & Ganglia – Structure and Classification