Understanding Neuroanatomy

Discussion Questions
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Discussion Questions
Question One
In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.
At the core of a neuron is the cell body. Extending from the cell body are dendrites, which receive incoming signals from other neurons or sensory receptors. The long, slender axon carries electrical impulses away from the cell body, often covered by a myelin sheath to speed up signal conduction, resembling an insulated wire. At the end of the axon, there are terminal branches with synaptic terminals, which transmit signals to other neurons or target cells through neurotransmitters (Ramesh et al., 2022). Electrical impulse conduction in a neuron occurs as an action potential. A stimulus triggers an action in the membrane potential, which leads to a specific action along the axon. Terminating the stimulus terminates the action.
Question Two
Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions):
What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures?
The subcortical structures involve a neural region which is located under the cerebral cortex. These structures help a lot with motor functions (Kumar, 2023). They include the following:
Thalamus: This component is responsible for transmitting signals from various sensory organs in the body to the cerebral cortex. It processes sensory factors such as taste, touch and vision.
Hypothalamus: It is located below the thalamus and regulates homeostasis.
Basal Ganglia: This g