Nervous Tissue

What Are Nervous Tissues?

Nervous tissue is the specialised tissue of the body, the major tissue component of the two parts of the nervous system—the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system. The function of nervous tissue is to transmit and receive external and internal stimuli. Two major types of cells are found in nervous tissue: neurons and glial cells. This tissue permits the body to react to stimuli, keeping the organism alive by providing ways for the different body parts to communicate with each other speedily.

Structure Of Nervous Tissue

The structure of the nervous system is explained below-

Neurons: The Basic Unit

Neurons are a unique kind of cell that carries nerve impulses and forms the essential functions found in the nervous system. They mainly work with receiving sensory input, processing information, and responding by conveying the required message to the muscles and glands.

Structure: Dendrites, Cell Body, Axon

The three main parts of a neuron include dendrites, which obtain signals from other neurons, the cell body (or soma) containing the nucleus in which the information is processed, and the axon, which conducts the impulse generated by the cell body away to other neurons or an effector cell.

Neuroglia: Supporting Cells

The details are given below:

Types Of Neuroglia

Neuroglia support and protect neurons. Astrocytic cells provide a scaffolding on which the framework of the brain is built and help regulate the level of dissolved ions within the tissue. Microglial cells act as phagocytes within the central nervous system. Oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, and Schwann cells form the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system.

Functions Of Neuroglia

Glia cells subserve four main functions: they maintain a homeostatic environment for the neuron; they produce myelin.

Types Of Neurons

The type of neurons is explained below-

Sensory Neurons

Sensory neurons conduct signals from sensory receptors to the CNS for the body to perceive stimuli like light, sound, or touch.

Motor Neurons

Motor neurons transmit a signal from the CNS to muscles or glands, which finally produces an action such as muscle action or secretion of the glands.

Interneurons

Interneurons transmit messages as they connect one neuron to another in the CNS; they are responsible for processing information received from the sensory neurons and transmitting the information to the motor neurons so that the body can react.

Nervous Tissue In The Central Nervous System (CNS)

The type of the nervous tissue in CNS is explained below-

Role Of Nervous Tissue In The Brain

Nervous tissue in the brain participates in higher activities, including thinking, memory, emotion, and sensory perception. It contains within its structure grey matter, or the cell bodies of neurons – and white matter, first and foremost the axons, which are made up of fibre tracts of neuronal processes.

Role Of Nervous Tissue In The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord communicates to and from the brain and integrates, but doesn't generate, much of the information to and from the brain. Accordingly, the spinal cord provides a means for the flow of information between the brain and the rest of the body. Grey and white matter exist within nervous tissue.

Nervous Tissue In The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The type of the nervous tissue in PNS is explained below-

Role Of Nervous Tissue In Peripheral Nerves

The peripheral nerves are the bundles of the axons that carry the sensory and motor information from the CNS to the body, in return. PNS. Hence, these radiate voluntary, and in-voluntary actions.

Connection Between CNS And PNS

The peripheral nerves connect the Central nervous system to the limbs and organs, so stimulus perception can reach the CNS and motor response can reach effectors — all of which will further enable it to cop with the surrounding's interaction.

Functions Of Nervous Tissue
The functions of the nervous tissue are explained below-

Transmission Of Nerve Impulses

Nervous tissue can conduct electrical signals through neurons in the type of action potentials extremely fast, resulting in fast responses to various stimuli.

Coordination And Integration Of Body Functions

Nervous tissue integrates all the sensory information and associates body functions so that homeostasis can be maintained and the body may interact effectively with the environment.

Reflex Actions

Nervous tissue initiates rapid and involuntary responses to any stimuli and, therefore, allows prompt precise protective actions and corrections.

Properties Of Nervous Tissue

The properties of the nervous tissue are explained below-

Excitability

Nervous tissue can respond to stimuli and communicate the response using electrical impulses, which are fundamental to the functions of sensing and responding to changes in the environment.

Conductivity

Nervous tissue conducts electrical impulses over long distances to ensure effective communication between various body parts.

Secretion

Neurons secrete neurotransmitters at synapses by which communication between neurons and other cells is mediated, which is of significant importance in the process of signal transmission.

Recommended video on "Nervous Tissue"