What is a motor neuron?
Before we discuss motor neurons let us briefly talk about cells. Our body is made up of trillions of cells. Each cell is a living entity. First of all a motor neuron is cell just like the trillions of cells that make up our body. All the cells in our body (with the exception of stem cells) are specialised to form tissues and organs. In the nervous system, we have two types of cells – the neuron and the glial cell. The neuron is responsible for Nucleus: contains DNA and genes that encode all proteins. Dendrite: extensions of the motor neurons where incoming signals are transmitted Perikaryon: or cell body contains in addition to the nucleus a gel-like substance in which proteins are synthesised, energy is produced and waste products degraded and re-cycled.
