Neuron And Neuroglia Worksheet: A Guide for Understanding the Human Nervous System

Introduction

The human nervous system is an incredibly complex and interconnected network of neurons, neuroglia, and nerves. It is responsible for our body’s voluntary and involuntary functions, including movement, sensation, and emotion. In order to better understand the human nervous system, it is important to understand the structures and functions of both neurons and neuroglia. This article will discuss the basics of neurons and neuroglia, as well as provide a worksheet to help guide your understanding of the human nervous system.

Neurons

Neurons are the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system. They are the cells responsible for conducting electrical signals throughout the body. Neurons are composed of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The cell body is the main part of the neuron, where it creates and stores proteins, and contains the nucleus. Dendrites are short extensions of the cell body that receive input from other neurons. And the axon is a long extension of the neuron that sends signals to other neurons.

Neuroglia

Neuroglia, also known as glial cells, are a diverse group of non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection to neurons. They are found throughout the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. Among the different types of neuroglia, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes are the most common and important. Astrocytes are star-shaped cells that provide supportive and metabolic functions to neurons. Microglia are the immune cells of the brain and spinal cord that protect the neurons from infection and injury. And oligodendrocytes are cells that produce the myelin sheath, which insulates and protects the axons of neurons.

Neuron and Neuroglia Worksheet

To help understand the nervous system, here is a worksheet that can be used to help recall and understand the structures and functions of neurons and neuroglia.

Neurons

• Cell body- the main part of the neuron where proteins are created and stored, and the nucleus is located.
• Dendrites- short extensions of the cell body that receive input from other neurons.
• Axon- a long extension of the neuron that sends signals to other neurons.

Neuroglia

• Astrocytes- star-shaped cells that provide supportive and metabolic functions to neurons.
• Microglia- the immune cells of the brain and spinal cord that protect neurons from infection and injury.
• Oligodendrocytes- cells that produce the myelin sheath, which insulates and protects the axons of neurons.

Conclusion

The human nervous system is a complex network of neurons, neuroglia, and nerves. Understanding the basics of neurons and neuroglia is essential for learning about the nervous system. The neuron and neuroglia worksheet provided here can be used as a guide to help better understand the nervous system.