What type of neuron is multipolar

Multipolar neurons are the most common type of neuron. Each multipolar neuron contains one axon and multiple dendrites. Multipolar neurons can be found in the central nervous system brain and spinal cord. The Purkinje cell, a multipolar neuron in the cerebellum, has many branching dendrites, but only one axon. Pseudounipolar cells share characteristics with both unipolar and bipolar cells. A pseudounipolar cell has a single structure that extends from the soma like a unipolar cell , which later branches into two distinct structures like a bipolar cell.

Most sensory neurons are pseudounipolar and have an axon that branches into two extensions: one connected to dendrites that receives sensory information and another that transmits this information to the spinal cord. Types of Neurons : Neurons are broadly divided into four main types based on the number and placement of axons: 1 unipolar, 2 bipolar, 3 multipolar, and 4 pseudounipolar.

While glia or glial cells are often thought of as the supporting cast of the nervous system, the number of glial cells in the brain actually outnumbers the number of neurons by a factor of ten. Neurons would be unable to function without the vital roles that are fulfilled by these glial cells. Glia guide developing neurons to their destinations, buffer ions and chemicals that would otherwise harm neurons, and provide myelin sheaths around axons. Scientists have recently discovered that they also play a role in responding to nerve activity and modulating communication between nerve cells.

When glia do not function properly, the result can be disastrous; most brain tumors are caused by mutations in glia. There are several different types of glia with different functions. Astrocytes make contact with both capillaries and neurons in the CNS. They provide nutrients and other substances to neurons, regulate the concentrations of ions and chemicals in the extracellular fluid, and provide structural support for synapses.

Astrocytes also form the blood-brain barrier: a structure that blocks entrance of toxic substances into the brain. They have been shown, through calcium-imaging experiments, to become active in response to nerve activity, transmit calcium waves between astrocytes, and modulate the activity of surrounding synapses. Satellite glia provide nutrients and structural support for neurons in the PNS. Microglia scavenge and degrade dead cells, protecting the brain from invading microorganisms.

Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS. One axon can be myelinated by several oligodendrocytes; one oligodendrocyte can provide myelin for multiple neurons.

This is distinctive from the PNS where a single Schwann cell provides myelin for only one axon as the entire Schwann cell surrounds the axon. Radial glia serve as bridges for developing neurons as they migrate to their end destinations.

Ependymal cells line fluid-filled ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. They are involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid, which serves as a cushion for the brain, moves the fluid between the spinal cord and the brain, and is a component for the choroid plexus.

Images of glial cells : a Astrocytes and b oligodendrocytes are glial cells of the central nervous system. Glial cells : Glial cells support neurons and maintain their environment. Glial cells of the a central nervous system include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, ependymal cells, and microglial cells.

Oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath around axons. Astrocytes provide nutrients to neurons, maintain their extracellular environment, and provide structural support. Microglia scavenge pathogens and dead cells. Ependymal cells produce cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the neurons. Glial cells of the b peripheral nervous system include Schwann cells, which form the myelin sheath, and satellite cells, which provide nutrients and structural support to neurons. Privacy Policy. Skip to main content.

The Nervous System. Search for:. Neurons and Glial Cells. Learning Objectives Recall the differences in structure and function between the central and peripheral nervous systems. Key Takeaways Key Points The central nervous system contains the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves, motor neurons, the autonomic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system. The nervous system coordinates the voluntary and involuntary actions of the body by transmitting signals from the brain to the other body parts and listening for feedback.

Some GABA neurons, for example, send their axon mostly to the cell bodies of other neurons; others prefer to target the dendrites.

Furthermore, these different neurons have different electrical properties, different shapes, different genes expressed, different projection patterns and receive different inputs. In other words, a particular combination of features is one way of defining a neuron type.

The thought is that a single neuron type should perform the same function, or suite of functions, within the brain. Scientists would consider where the neuron projects to, what it connects with and what input it receives. In the spinal cord, it is pretty simple.

But part of what gives the brain its complexity is the huge number of specialised neuron types. Researchers are still trying to agree on what these are, and how they should be classified. QBI newsletters Subscribe. Help QBI research Give now. Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer. Site search Search. Site search Search Menu. Types of neurons. Home The Brain Brain anatomy. Each multipolar neuron contains one axon and multiple dendrites.

Multipolar neurons can be found in the central nervous system brain and spinal cord. The Purkinje cell, a multipolar neuron in the cerebellum, has many branching dendrites, but only one axon. Pseudounipolar cells share characteristics with both unipolar and bipolar cells. A pseudounipolar cell has a single structure that extends from the soma like a unipolar cell , which later branches into two distinct structures like a bipolar cell. Most sensory neurons are pseudounipolar and have an axon that branches into two extensions: one connected to dendrites that receives sensory information and another that transmits this information to the spinal cord.

Learning Objectives Describe the functions of the structural components of a neuron. Key Points Dendrites are the tree-like structures in neurons that extend away from the cell body to receive messages from other neurons at synapses; not all neurons have dendrites. Synapses enable the dendrites from a single neuron to interact and receive signals from many other neurons. Axons are tube-like structures that send signals to other neurons, muscles, or organs; not all neurons have axons.

Neurons are divided into four major types: unipolar, bipolar, multipolar, and pseudounipolar. Unipolar neurons have only one structure extending from the soma; bipolar neurons have one axon and one dendrite extending from the soma. Multipolar neurons contain one axon and many dendrites; pseudounipolar neurons have a single structure that extends from the soma, which later branches into two distinct structures.

Key Terms dendrite : branched projections of a neuron that conduct the impulses received from other neural cells to the cell body axon : long slender projection of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, and organs synapse : the junction between the terminal of a neuron and either another neuron or a muscle or gland cell, over which nerve impulses pass.

Neurons The nervous system of the common laboratory fly, Drosophila melanogaster , contains around , neurons, the same number as a lobster. Parts of a Neuron Each neuron has a cell body or soma that contains a nucleus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and other cellular components.

They also have more specialized structures, including dendrites and axons. Types of Neurons There are different types of neurons; the functional role of a given neuron is intimately dependent on its structure.