Neurons+-+AH

=Introduction= toc You are about to start your bar routine at your last gymnastics meet of the season. You salute your judges and turn to the bar. The neurons in your body make you jump to the bar and swing into a glide kip. You finish your routine with your neurons helping you stick the dismount. Neurons help you move, feel, and even think. Neurons are everywhere in your body, there are over 10 billion neurons in just a brain.

=What is the Function of Neurons?= Neurons are the specialized cells that when join the brain and spinal cord make up the body's nervous system in every humans body. Specialized cells are the cells that are made to do one job and one job only. The nervous system controls all movements, thoughts, senses and feelings.

=What Structures Help Neurons Function?= Some of the structures that help neurons function are somas, axons, and dendrites. The soma is the most important part of a neuron. The soma is the the body AND BRAIN of all neurons. Sources 1, 2, 4, and 6 state that axons carry impulses away from somas and dendrites receive impulses from axons. When the soma, axons, and dendrites work together you get a body capable of moving.

=A Diagram of a Neuron= = =

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=How Does ALS Affect Neurons?= According to source three ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease causes the motor neurons in the spinal cord to shrink or disappear. When the neurons disappear the muscles will not receive signals to move which causes muscles to become small and weak. The the body part becomes paralyzed. When a body or parts of a body is paralyzed it is incapable of moving. It is possible to have only a part of your body paralyzed.

=The Causes and Effects of ALS= = = media type="custom" key="28992321" width="55" height="55"

**Conclusion** The telephone poles on your street are just like the neurons in your body. They send and receive messages. If you didn't have neurons you wouldn't be able to move. To learn more about ALS and neurons click here and watch the video by Wayne Lampe. media type="youtube" key="JNZcC_3YLuo" width="501" height="313"

=References=

1; Works CitCoolidge-Stolz, Elizabeth, et al. Human Biology and Health. Boston, Pearson, 2009.

2; KidsHealth. Jan. 2013, kidshealth.org/en/kids/als.html. Accessed 1 Feb. 2017.

3; “Nerve Cells.” Lifescript.com, www.lifescript.com/health/a-z/mayo/images/n/nerve_cells.aspx.

4; “Nervous System.” PowerKnowledge Life Science, Rosen Publishing, www.pklifescience.com/article/435/nervous-system. Accessed 1 Feb. 2017.

5; “Nervous System.” BrainPOP, www.brainpop.com/health/bodysystems/nervoussystem/.

6; “Neurons.” BrainPOP, www.brainpop.com/health/bodysystems/neurons/.

7; “What is ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Youtube, uploaded by Wayne Lampe, 17 Jan. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNZcC_3YLuo. Accessed 3 Feb. 2017.