Neurons+-+BB

=Introduction=

toc As you dribble down the large, green field with only a minute left of the game, you see the goalie at the goal ready to jump up and block a shot at any moment. You kick the ball with your lashes with such force and you SCORE! Your team wins the tournament because of your shot- and your neurons are to thank. Neurons are cells in your body that control your brain and spinal cord (also known as the Nervous system). These 100 billion cells send signals to your brain whenever you want to move -like dribbling to the soccer goal. Your neurons send messages to your brain and then the muscles down in your feet that you want to move that ball.

=Function of a Neuron (Nerve Cell)= As you move your hand to pick up your pencil, haven’t you ever wondered what is making your muscles move so you can get it? Well your nerve cells (also known as neurons) are responsible for every movement you make. Neurons is the cell that controls your nervous system. Your nervous system consists of your brain and your spine. Your brain is the ‘foundation’ of your body and according to to the Brainpop video Neurons, the neurons in your brain is w hat controls your thoughts, feelings, and every movement you make. You have 3 different neurons in your body and each of them do different things. Your motor neurons transmit signals from your central nervous to your muscles telling them to move. For example, if you want to make a fist, your motoneurons send a message to your brain to your muscle to make a fist (according to Brainpop). Another, type of neuron is the sensory neurons. They transmit signals from sense organs like your eyes, ears, and skin up to your spinal cord or brain. Just like, when you touch something, your sensory neurons will send a message to your brain that what you just touched feels soft. Or if you are talking to someone, your sensory neurons will send a message your brain about what your friend just said to you. Lastly, there are your interneurons. They transmit signals to your other neurons and work together. Even though, all these different neurons do different things, but they all have the same job- to transmit signals up to your central nervous system. But, the structure of the neuron is what helps its function.

=Structure of a Nerve Cell= Neurons have a different structure (shape) unlike other cells. They are longer so they can carry information. The neuron just like all cells has a nucleus which is the main organelle in any cell. They have long thread-like extensions called dendrites and an axon. The axon is what pushes the message to your brain. You dendrites job is to receive messages from throughout your body. The axon and dendrites are often arranged in parallel bundles covered with connective tissue (according to Padilla et al 178). There are little spaces between a neuron’s axon and dendrites and these are called synapses. When an impulse is made, the little space (synapses) gives off a chemical the synapse which it then carries down the neuron and axon. There is a white substance around the neuron called the myelin. The myelin's job is to speed up the impulses (in the diagram below, look at the light orange part of the neuron). Sometimes though, the structure gets affected by diseases.

=What Diseases Affect Neurons?= Although neurons are very important to the human body, it can’t help humans if they get sick. In fact, many diseases totally ruin your neurons and they can’t function properly. An example of one of these diseases is Lou Gehrig’s Disease (also known as ALS). It is called this because Lou Gehrig, a famous baseball player for the Yankees was diagnosed with ALS in the 1930’s. This sickness causes the motor neurons to shrink then eventually disappear so that means that your muscles won’t receive anymore messages to move which then leads to being paralyzed. Even though an ALS victim is paralyzed, they can still see, hear, and feel when it’s hot, cold or being tickled. Another, disease that neurons are affected by is Neuropathy. Neuropathy is when your nerves and neurons have sustained damage or more damage. As these damages get worse, signals to the brain aren’t transmitted. This also occurs when a person has diabetes for many years and it can damage some of your organs including your nervous system. . According to “ [|www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org] ”, toxic foods can ruin the way your nerves and neurons function. Other sicknesses that can damage your neurons are cancer, infectious diseases, chronic kidney failure, and liver failure.

= **Conclusion** = These 100 billion little cells are worth caring for and without them, you wouldn’t be able to do daily everyday things like brush your teeth, get dressed, think while you're doing your homework, feel happy while watching a movie, etc. So while you’re on the field about to pass to a teammate, make sure you know that your neurons are A, the reason you can think to pass and get the ball away from a defender and B that they are letting you pass that ball. =References= “Nervous System.” Nervous System. World Book Online, www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home#article/ar831222. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. “Nervous System.” Nervous System. Power Knowledge Life Science, “Nervous System.” PowerKnowledge Life Science, Rosen Publishing, www.pklifescience.com/article/435/nervous-system. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. “Neurons.” BrainPOP.com, www.brainpop.com/health/bodysystems/neurons/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. “Neuropathy.” pernicous-anaemia-society.org, 9 Jan. 2012, www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12806&view=print. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. Padilla, Michael J., et al. Prentice Hall Science Explorer: Human Biology and Health. Needham, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. “Picture of a Neuron.” www.google.com, www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/5d3d66ef622165ae607b3c02f6e603c524eececf.gif. Accessed 2 Feb. 2017. Steven. “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” kidshealth.org, Jan. 2016, kidshealth.org/en/kids/als.html. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. Types of Neurons. Faculty.Washington.edu, faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cells.html. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017.