Neuron Analogy: A Comparison of Neurons and Trees

Running head: PHYSIOLOGY
Neuron Analogy
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1PHYSIOLOGY
Neurons are also referred to as nerve cells that are responsible for conduction of
electrical impulses. The neurons are the most basic structural and functional units of the
nervous system. They are extremely diverse in their shape and size. A nerve looks almost
similar to a tree and also has several tree like structures. This assignment shall analyze the
different parts and functioning of a neuron, with regards to a tree.
It can be suggested that upon enlarging a nerve cell thousands, the structure resembles
a tall tree. Furthermore, an analysis of the smaller regions of the nervous system at a
magnified scale bear a resemblance to a massive, eccentric forest. This basic majesty helps in
building the correlation between a neuron and a tree. All neurons are comprised of three
major components, namely, an axon, dendrites (Dendron), and a soma (cell body). The
dendrites represent the branches of a tree. Just like the tree branches are responsible for
providing a way for the leaves of the tree to act in the form of a net for absorbing sunlight,
the dendrites are the branched protoplasmic neuronal extensions. These are primarily
responsible for propagating electrochemical stimulations that are received from different
neuronal cells (adjacent trees), by establishing synapses (networks) (Shepherd 2015).
The axon of a neuron resembles the three trunk. The trunk acts as the principle
wooden axis and has been recognized as an essential feature. The branches of a tree grow
from the trunk. The fact that the primary function of the tree trunk is to provide support to the
tree and conduct water and nutrients can be related to the function of the axon to conduct
nerve impulses. Just like the tree trunk contains the xylem and phloem that help in the
translocation of food and water, the axons are guarded by a myelin sheath or medullary
sheath that provides a protective covering and enhances transmission of electrical impulses,
all along the axon (Bechler and Byrne 2015). The Nodes of Ranvier in a neuron resembles
the internodes and nodes between tree branches.