Introduction to Psychology - Essay Example

Each of the above organelles serves a specific function for the neuron. Dendrites form the second part of a neuron. Dendrites branch like a tree and receive signals from other neurons. They work as antennae for nerve cell and are covered by several synapses (Corr, 2006). Under the synapse of a neuron is dendritic membrane which contains several receptors that are used to detect the neurotransmitters in the cleft of synaptic. One neuron can have several dendrites. The outer surface of a neuron is irregularly shaped and is covered by dendritic spines.

From the dendritic spines is where the input connections of synaptic are made (Corr, 2006). The other major part of neuron is axon. Axons are normally long and extend up to the nervous system region. Axons serve as conducting units of neurons, and get across electrical signals. Axons split into many branches so as to convey massage to different areas of target. However, many neurons lack axons. In amacrine neurons have got no axon, where the dendrites carry out the neuronal processes. There are also neurons which have short axons (Corr, 2006).

Neurotransmitters achieve the process of inhibition and excitation on postsynaptic neuron by binding to the receptors so as to trigger the responses to the targeted receptors. Receptors that that are joined to channels of calcium or sodium are excitatory, and normally generate postsynaptic membrane depolarization. Receptors that are joined to channels of potassium or chloride are inhibitory, and normally generate postsynaptic membrane hyperpolarization (Corr, 2006). It is through the production of depolarization and hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane that neurotransmitters are able to achieve the process of inhibition and excitation of postsynaptic neurons.

The major types of neurons are: the bipolar neuron, the unipolar neuron, and miltipolar neuron. The