01- Neurophysiology basics - Overview
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- Category: 3- Neurophysiology basics
- Published on 18 April 2012
- Written by Ben Brahim Mohammed
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The nervous system, the most complex tissue that is [ 92 ] consists mainly of two major types of cells [ 52 , 93 ]: neurons [ 41 , 52 , 64 , 94 , 100 ] (functional units [ 39 , 64 ] ), and glial cells [ 50 , 57 ] which are supporting cells [ 36 , 39 ]. Without these, neurons can not or at least will be very difficult to operate.
Neurons run almost all of their energy toward a single goal: the transmission of nerve signals [ 39 , 75 , 95 ], it is the glial cells that are responsible for protecting them, feed them and optimize their operation.
Transmission of nerve impulses from nerve cells is due to the electrochemical properties of their plasma membranes [ 96 ].
the signal is transmitted from one nerve cell to another by junctions called synapses [ 41 , 52 ], a particular type of these synapses is that between the neuron to an effector cell such as a muscle fiber this synapse is then called neuromuscular junction [ 4 , 40 ].
The flow of information in a synapse is provided by chemical molecules called neurotransmitters [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 52 ].
The proper functioning of the central nervous system is so crucial that it is isolated from the rest of the body through a barrier that limits the passage of potentially harmful elements: the blood-brain barrier [ 3 , 41 , 42 , 70 , 81 ].
Finally, the most extraordinary ability of the nervous system is its ability to adapt and change constantly depending on needs. Thousands of new neural pathways are formed or strengthened every day. This ability is called neuroplasticity [ 97 , 98 ] opens great perspectives on the management of many disorders including sensory.