1.5.6

Neurones

Test yourself on Neurones

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Types of Neurone

Neurones are cells that transmit information from receptors to effectors. There are three main types of neurones:

Sensory neurones

Sensory neurones

Sensory neurones carry nervous impulses from receptors (e.g. pressure receptors) into the Central Nervous Systems (CNS).

Motor neurones

Motor neurones

Motor neurones carry impulses from the CNS to effector organs (e.g. muscles or glands).

Relay neurones

Relay neurones

Relay neurones are intermediate neurones.
Relay neurones receive impulses from a sensory neurone and relay them to motor neurones.

Structure of Neurones

Neurones transmit information from receptors to effectors. The structure of neurones is important in ensuring this information is transmitted correctly and efficiently.

Basic structure

Basic structure

Neurones can be myelinated or non-myelinated but all neurones have the following basic structures:
- Dendrites - carries nervous impulses towards a cell body.
- Axons - carries nervous impulses away from the cell body.
- Cell body - where the nucleus is normally located.

Myelinated motor neurones

Myelinated motor neurones

Motor neurones in vertebrates are usually myelinated.
Schwann cells are wrapped around the axon of the neurone. These cells form the myelin sheath.
Gaps between adjacent Schwann cells are called nodes of Ranvier.
Most neurones in the central and peripheral nervous system are myelinated. This is because fast transmission from the brain to muscles is often required.
- Myelin sheaths insulate neurones, increasing the speed of impulse transmission.

Non-myelinated neurones

Non-myelinated neurones

Non-myelinated neurones do not contain a myelin sheath. They still contain dendrites, axons, and a cell body.
They conduct impulses slower than myelinated neurones.
Non-myelinated neurons tend to be found in the autonomic nervous system.
- The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that supplies the internal organs, such as the stomach, intestine, and kidneys.
Nerve transmission to internal organs often does not need to be as fast as transmission to muscles.

1

Principles of Science I

1.1

Structure & Bonding

1.1.1Atomic Model 1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals 1.1.3Ionic Bonding 1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds 1.1.5Covalent Bonding 1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds 1.1.7Metallic Bonding 1.1.8Intermolecular Forces 1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 2 1.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding 1.1.11Relative Masses 1.1.12The Mole 1.1.13Molar Calculations 1.1.14Molar Calculations 2 1.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae 1.1.16Balanced Equations 1.1.17Percentage Yield 1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance

1.2

Properties of Substances

1.2.1The Periodic Table 1.2.2Ionisation Energy 1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies 1.2.4Trends of Ionisation 1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table 1.2.6Polarity 1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals 1.2.8Alkali Metals 1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals 1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals 1.2.11Redox 1.2.12Transition Metals 1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals

1.3

Cell Structure & Function

1.3.1Introduction to Cells 1.3.2Prokaryotes 1.3.3Organelles of Eukaryotic Cells 1.3.4Organelles of Eukaryotic Cells 2 1.3.5Organelles in Plant Cells 1.3.6Microscopy 1.3.7End of Topic Test - Cell Structure

1.4

Cell Specialisation

1.4.1Cell Specialisation 1.4.2Blood Cells 1.4.3Plant Cells 1.4.4Gametes

1.5

Tissue Structure & Function

1.5.1Human Gas Exchange 1.5.2Blood Vessels 1.5.3Atherosclerosis 1.5.4Skeletal Muscle 1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres 1.5.6Neurones 1.5.7Speed of Transmission 1.5.8Action Potentials 1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials 1.5.10Synapses 1.5.11Types of Synapse 1.5.12Medical Application 1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses 1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances 1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain

1.6

Working with Waves

1.6.1Progressive Waves 1.6.2Wave Speed & Phase Difference 1.6.3Longitudinal & Transverse Waves 1.6.4Stationary Waves 1.6.5Stationary Waves 2 1.6.6Applications of Stationary Waves 1.6.7Interference 1.6.8Diffraction 1.6.9Diffraction Gratings 1.6.10Application of Diffraction Gratings

1.7

Waves in Communication

1.7.1Refraction at a Plane Surface 1.7.2Internal Reflection & Fibre Optics 1.7.3Applications of Total Internal Reflection 1.7.4Properties 1.7.5Gamma, X-Ray & UV Light 1.7.6Visible Light 1.7.7Infrared, Microwave & Radio Waves 1.7.8Intensity 1.7.9Digital & Analogue Signals 1.7.10Communication Channels

2

Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

2.1

Titration

2.1.1pH Curves & Titrations 2.1.2pH Curves & Titrations 2 2.1.3Buffer Solutions

2.2

Colorimetry

2.2.1Measuring Rates 2.2.2Beer-Lambert Law

2.3

Chromatography

2.3.1Overview of Chromatography 2.3.2Thin-Layer Chromatography 2.3.3Column Chromatography 2.3.4Gas Chromatography

3

Science Investigation Skills

3.1

Scientific Processes

3.1.1Aims, Hypotheses & Sampling 3.1.2Pilot Studies & Design 3.1.3Ethics 3.1.4Variables & Control 3.1.5Demand Characteristics & Investigator Effects 3.1.6Features of Science 3.1.7Scientific Report 3.1.8Scientific Report 2

3.2

Data Handling & Analysis

3.2.1Types of Data 3.2.2Descriptive Statistics 3.2.3Presentation & Display of Data

3.3

Enzymes in Action

3.3.1Overview of Protein Structure 3.3.2Enzymes 3.3.3Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity 3.3.4Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

3.4

Diffusion

3.5

Plants & Their Environment

3.5.1Factors Affecting Plant Growth 3.5.2Measuring Number & Distribution of Species

3.6

Energy Content in Fuels

3.6.1Fractions 3.6.2Burning Hydrocarbons 3.6.3Combustion 3.6.4Energy 3.6.5Energy at Home 3.6.6Calorimetry

3.7

Electrical Circuits

3.7.1Circuit Diagrams & Components 3.7.2Diodes, LDRs & Thermistors 3.7.3Resistance 3.7.4Electrical Work 3.7.5Ohm's Law 3.7.6Domestic Uses of Electricity 3.7.7Fuses

4

Principles of Science II

4.1

Extracting Elements

4.1.1Atom Economy

4.2

Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.2.1Group 2 Chemistry 4.2.2End of Topic Test - Group 2 4.2.3Electrolysis 4.2.4Electrolysis Examples 4.2.5Extracting Metals 4.2.6Transition Metals 4.2.7Variable Oxidation States 4.2.8Heterogeneous Catalysts 4.2.9Homogeneous Catalysts

4.3

Organic Chemistry

4.3.1Naming Compounds 4.3.2Functional Groups 4.3.3Isomerism 4.3.4Hydrocarbons 4.3.5Structure of Alkanes 4.3.6Boiling Points of Alkanes 4.3.7Alkenes 4.3.8Curly Arrows & Mechanisms 4.3.9Cracking 4.3.10Combustion 4.3.11Free Radical Substitution of Alkanes 4.3.12Electrophilic Addition of Alkenes

4.4

Energy Changes in Industry

4.4.1The Kelvin Scale 4.4.2Enthalpy Changes 4.4.3Calorimetry 4.4.4Bond Enthalpies 4.4.5Hess' Law

4.5

The Circulatory System

4.5.1The Circulatory System 4.5.2Blood Vessels 4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System 4.5.4The Heart 4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle 4.5.6Cardiac Output 4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action 4.5.8Heart Dissection 4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate 4.5.10Electrocardiograms 4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease 4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates

4.6

Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.6.1Human Gas Exchange 4.6.2Ventilation 4.6.3Measuring Gas Exchange 4.6.4Controlling Ventilation Rate 4.6.5Lung Disease 4.6.6Lung Disease Data

4.7

Urinary System

4.7.1Kidneys & Control of Water Balance 4.7.2Kidneys & Osmoregulation 4.7.3Kidneys & Blood Pressure 4.7.4Urine 4.7.5Kidney Failure & Urinalysis 4.7.6Dialysis 4.7.7Transplants

4.8

Cell Transport

4.8.1Cell Membrane Structure 4.8.2Diffusion 4.8.3Osmosis 4.8.4Active Transport

4.9

Thermal Physics

4.9.1Power & Efficiency 4.9.2Work & Energy 4.9.3Conservation of Energy 4.9.4Pressure 4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics 4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics 4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators 4.9.8Non-Flow Processes 4.9.9p-V Diagrams 4.9.10Ideal Gases 4.9.11Ideal Gases 2 4.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer 4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments

4.10

Materials

4.10.1Density 4.10.2Stress & Strain 4.10.3Properties of Materials 4.10.4Elasticity 4.10.5Plasticity 4.10.6Energy in Materials 4.10.7Young Modulus

4.11

Fluids

4.11.1Fluid Flow 4.11.2Viscosity 4.11.3Density 4.11.4Continuity Equation 4.11.5Bernoulli's Equation 4.11.6Non-Newtonian Fluids

5

Contemporary Issues in Science

5.1

Contemporary Issues in Science

5.1.1Sustainability 5.1.2Genetic Engineering 5.1.3Uses of Genetic Modification 5.1.4Stem Cell Therapy 5.1.5Cloning 5.1.6Cloning 2 5.1.7Nanotechnology 5.1.8Ecosystems

5.2

Analysing Scientific Information

5.2.1Validity 5.2.2Peer Review

Jump to other topics

1

Principles of Science I

1.1

Structure & Bonding

1.1.1Atomic Model 1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals 1.1.3Ionic Bonding 1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds 1.1.5Covalent Bonding 1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds 1.1.7Metallic Bonding 1.1.8Intermolecular Forces 1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 2 1.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding 1.1.11Relative Masses 1.1.12The Mole 1.1.13Molar Calculations 1.1.14Molar Calculations 2 1.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae 1.1.16Balanced Equations 1.1.17Percentage Yield 1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance

1.2

Properties of Substances

1.2.1The Periodic Table 1.2.2Ionisation Energy 1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies 1.2.4Trends of Ionisation 1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table 1.2.6Polarity 1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals 1.2.8Alkali Metals 1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals 1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals 1.2.11Redox 1.2.12Transition Metals 1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals

1.3

Cell Structure & Function

1.3.1Introduction to Cells 1.3.2Prokaryotes 1.3.3Organelles of Eukaryotic Cells 1.3.4Organelles of Eukaryotic Cells 2 1.3.5Organelles in Plant Cells 1.3.6Microscopy 1.3.7End of Topic Test - Cell Structure

1.4

Cell Specialisation

1.4.1Cell Specialisation 1.4.2Blood Cells 1.4.3Plant Cells 1.4.4Gametes

1.5

Tissue Structure & Function

1.5.1Human Gas Exchange 1.5.2Blood Vessels 1.5.3Atherosclerosis 1.5.4Skeletal Muscle 1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres 1.5.6Neurones 1.5.7Speed of Transmission 1.5.8Action Potentials 1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials 1.5.10Synapses 1.5.11Types of Synapse 1.5.12Medical Application 1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses 1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances 1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain

1.6

Working with Waves

1.6.1Progressive Waves 1.6.2Wave Speed & Phase Difference 1.6.3Longitudinal & Transverse Waves 1.6.4Stationary Waves 1.6.5Stationary Waves 2 1.6.6Applications of Stationary Waves 1.6.7Interference 1.6.8Diffraction 1.6.9Diffraction Gratings 1.6.10Application of Diffraction Gratings

1.7

Waves in Communication

1.7.1Refraction at a Plane Surface 1.7.2Internal Reflection & Fibre Optics 1.7.3Applications of Total Internal Reflection 1.7.4Properties 1.7.5Gamma, X-Ray & UV Light 1.7.6Visible Light 1.7.7Infrared, Microwave & Radio Waves 1.7.8Intensity 1.7.9Digital & Analogue Signals 1.7.10Communication Channels

2

Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

2.1

Titration

2.1.1pH Curves & Titrations 2.1.2pH Curves & Titrations 2 2.1.3Buffer Solutions

2.2

Colorimetry

2.2.1Measuring Rates 2.2.2Beer-Lambert Law

2.3

Chromatography

2.3.1Overview of Chromatography 2.3.2Thin-Layer Chromatography 2.3.3Column Chromatography 2.3.4Gas Chromatography

3

Science Investigation Skills

3.1

Scientific Processes

3.1.1Aims, Hypotheses & Sampling 3.1.2Pilot Studies & Design 3.1.3Ethics 3.1.4Variables & Control 3.1.5Demand Characteristics & Investigator Effects 3.1.6Features of Science 3.1.7Scientific Report 3.1.8Scientific Report 2

3.2

Data Handling & Analysis

3.2.1Types of Data 3.2.2Descriptive Statistics 3.2.3Presentation & Display of Data

3.3

Enzymes in Action

3.3.1Overview of Protein Structure 3.3.2Enzymes 3.3.3Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity 3.3.4Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

3.4

Diffusion

3.5

Plants & Their Environment

3.5.1Factors Affecting Plant Growth 3.5.2Measuring Number & Distribution of Species

3.6

Energy Content in Fuels

3.6.1Fractions 3.6.2Burning Hydrocarbons 3.6.3Combustion 3.6.4Energy 3.6.5Energy at Home 3.6.6Calorimetry

3.7

Electrical Circuits

3.7.1Circuit Diagrams & Components 3.7.2Diodes, LDRs & Thermistors 3.7.3Resistance 3.7.4Electrical Work 3.7.5Ohm's Law 3.7.6Domestic Uses of Electricity 3.7.7Fuses

4

Principles of Science II

4.1

Extracting Elements

4.1.1Atom Economy

4.2

Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.2.1Group 2 Chemistry 4.2.2End of Topic Test - Group 2 4.2.3Electrolysis 4.2.4Electrolysis Examples 4.2.5Extracting Metals 4.2.6Transition Metals 4.2.7Variable Oxidation States 4.2.8Heterogeneous Catalysts 4.2.9Homogeneous Catalysts

4.3

Organic Chemistry

4.3.1Naming Compounds 4.3.2Functional Groups 4.3.3Isomerism 4.3.4Hydrocarbons 4.3.5Structure of Alkanes 4.3.6Boiling Points of Alkanes 4.3.7Alkenes 4.3.8Curly Arrows & Mechanisms 4.3.9Cracking 4.3.10Combustion 4.3.11Free Radical Substitution of Alkanes 4.3.12Electrophilic Addition of Alkenes

4.4

Energy Changes in Industry

4.4.1The Kelvin Scale 4.4.2Enthalpy Changes 4.4.3Calorimetry 4.4.4Bond Enthalpies 4.4.5Hess' Law

4.5

The Circulatory System

4.5.1The Circulatory System 4.5.2Blood Vessels 4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System 4.5.4The Heart 4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle 4.5.6Cardiac Output 4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action 4.5.8Heart Dissection 4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate 4.5.10Electrocardiograms 4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease 4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates

4.6

Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.6.1Human Gas Exchange 4.6.2Ventilation 4.6.3Measuring Gas Exchange 4.6.4Controlling Ventilation Rate 4.6.5Lung Disease 4.6.6Lung Disease Data

4.7

Urinary System

4.7.1Kidneys & Control of Water Balance 4.7.2Kidneys & Osmoregulation 4.7.3Kidneys & Blood Pressure 4.7.4Urine 4.7.5Kidney Failure & Urinalysis 4.7.6Dialysis 4.7.7Transplants

4.8

Cell Transport

4.8.1Cell Membrane Structure 4.8.2Diffusion 4.8.3Osmosis 4.8.4Active Transport

4.9

Thermal Physics

4.9.1Power & Efficiency 4.9.2Work & Energy 4.9.3Conservation of Energy 4.9.4Pressure 4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics 4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics 4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators 4.9.8Non-Flow Processes 4.9.9p-V Diagrams 4.9.10Ideal Gases 4.9.11Ideal Gases 2 4.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer 4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments

4.10

Materials

4.10.1Density 4.10.2Stress & Strain 4.10.3Properties of Materials 4.10.4Elasticity 4.10.5Plasticity 4.10.6Energy in Materials 4.10.7Young Modulus

4.11

Fluids

4.11.1Fluid Flow 4.11.2Viscosity 4.11.3Density 4.11.4Continuity Equation 4.11.5Bernoulli's Equation 4.11.6Non-Newtonian Fluids

5

Contemporary Issues in Science

5.1

Contemporary Issues in Science

5.1.1Sustainability 5.1.2Genetic Engineering 5.1.3Uses of Genetic Modification 5.1.4Stem Cell Therapy 5.1.5Cloning 5.1.6Cloning 2 5.1.7Nanotechnology 5.1.8Ecosystems

5.2

Analysing Scientific Information

5.2.1Validity 5.2.2Peer Review

Practice questions on Neurones

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
Where do motor neurones carry impulses?Multiple choice
2
Which of these are NOT a feature of neurones?Multiple choice
3
Which of the following statements about neurones are true?True / false

Answer all questions on Neurones

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres

Speed of Transmission