Читать книгу Neurobiology For Dummies - Frank Amthor - Страница 10

Neurobiology is the study of neurons and nervous systems, such as brains. Neurons are cells. Like other cells, neurons interact with the external world and other cells through specialized receptors in their membranes and through biochemical processes inside their cytoplasm and nucleus.

Neural capabilities evolved from those of single-celled organisms, like bacteria and paramecia, which use membrane sensors to detect food and toxins, and cilia to move toward food and away from toxins. Single-cell organisms may also change their internal metabolism upon ingesting particular substances from the environment.

Multicellular organisms consist of different types of cells that are specialized to do things like secrete hormones or digestive enzymes. They depend on other cells for nutrients, waste removal, and the maintenance of a supportive environment. Neurons are specialized cells in multicellular organisms that, among other things, enable rapid communication across the large distances from one end of an animal to another. This allows the animals to perform coordinated movements and to act upon sensing the surrounding environment.