Читать книгу Neurobiology For Dummies - Frank Amthor - Страница 63

What distinguishes neurons from other cells in the body is that they are excellent communicators. Their membranes contain receptors and ion channels that allow them to do the following:

 Sense energy and substances from the environment

 Communicate between distant parts of the same cell

 Communicate with other neurons

 Activate muscles and secretory cells

Most cells in the body have the DNA required to produce the hundreds of ion channel and receptor proteins found in neurons. But the genes that code for many of these neuronal proteins are expressed only in specific types of neurons, and not other cells. Many neuron-specific proteins form receptors or ion channels that either directly or indirectly control the flow of four major ions through the membrane: sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. The next section explores these ions in more detail.