How Important Are Our Neurons?

How important are neurons and the myelin sheaths that cover parts of the neurons axon? (Neurons and nervous cells) are responsive cells in the nervous system that process and transmit information by electrochemical signaling. They are the core components of the brain, the vertebrate spinal cord, the invertebrate ventral nerve cord, and the peripheral nerves. A number of different types of neurons exist: sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light and numerous other stimuli affecting cells of the sensory organs that then send signals to the spinal cord and brain. Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord and cause muscle contractions and affect glands. Inter-neurons connect neurons to other neurons within the brain and spinal cord. Neurons respond to stimulation, and communicate the presence of stimulation to the central nervous system, which then processes that information and sends responses to other parts of the body for action. Myelin sheaths are wrapped around the axon of the neuron and are important for transmitting information to the brain faster if these are destroyed by Demyelinating diseases of the nervous system it can lead to other diseases such as (metachromatic leukodystrophy, Krabbe's disease). This can be fatal since it can cause muscle weakness, feeding difficulties, episodes of fever without any sign of infection, stiff posture, and slowed mental and physical development. As the disease progresses, muscles continue to weaken, affecting the infant's ability to move, chew, swallow, and breathe. Affected infants also experience vision loss and seizures. So we need neurons to transmit signals to out muscles in order for us to eat on our own and breathe involuntary while we sleep. Neurons are greatly important but so are the Schwann cells and the myelin’s sheaths that cover parts of the neurons axon. Even though the pulse that is passing through the neurons is still transmitted to the brain without the myelin sheath it slows down everything in our response timing which is crucial to our survival. It is sad to say that there is no cure for this disease yet, but relating back to my last blog about animal research. there could be a possibility that we can one day find a cure for this and help those who cannot help themselves.