Neuronal soma or perikaryon: parts and functions

This is possibly the most important part of neurons, as it explains how they function.

Neurons are one of the most important cell types in our body, as they enable the transmission of information between their different parts throughout the nervous system.They allow the transmission of information between their different parts throughout the nervous system. Through them a series of bioelectrical impulses are generated and transmitted that allow us to perform each of the actions we carry out, both voluntarily and involuntarily, and whether we refer to physical behaviors as if we do cognitive or emotional processes.

But neurons are not homogeneous masses: if we focus on their structure we can distinguish different elements or parts. One of the most important is the soma of the neuron, or perikaryon, to which this article is dedicated.to which this article is dedicated.

The central part of the neuron: The soma or pericarion

The soma or perikaryon is known as the central and most important element of the cell, in which the nucleus is located and from which its other parts are derived, as prolongations of the first: dendrites and axon. The shape of the soma, as well as its position in relation to the rest of its components of the same neuron, can vary greatly depending on the type of neuron we are talking about (although it is usually rounded and large).

The somas of the neurons make up what we call gray matter, linked to the processing of information.linked to the processing of nervous information. In fact, different brain structures of great importance are mainly formed by gray matter, such as the cortex itself, the basal ganglia, the thalamus or the hypothalamus.

Main parts of the neuronal soma

Within the soma or perikaryon we can find a large number of elements, all of them of great importance, which participate in the proper functioning of the cell and its maintenance. The main ones among them are the following.

1. Nucleus

The main and most important element of the soma is the nucleus, which contains the genetic instructions that govern the formation, growth, functioning and death of the neuron, i.e. the DNA. Within or around the nucleus may be found the nucleolus, which generates the RNA transcription which will eventually generate the ribosomes present in the cell.

2. Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is the liquid medium in which the nucleus and the other elements of the soma are found, actively participating in cell metabolism and the facilitation of cell movement.. It is bounded by the cytoskeleton and the membrane of the neuron.

3. Cytoskeleton

This element made up of different types of filaments and tubules contribute to give structure and shape to the perikaryon and also participate in the migration and movement of the different components of the soma.

4. Nissl bodies

Rough endoplasmic reticulum clusters mainly present in the soma (although they can also be observed in the dendrites) and contain a large number of ribosomes, which participate in the creation of proteins and neurotransmitters. They are also a fundamental part of the perikaryon, since if the cell is damaged (not only in the soma but also, for example, in the axon) it will be these elements that contribute to its regeneration, dissolving and sacrificing themselves to maintain the functioning of the neuron (in a process known as chromatolysis).

5. Golgi apparatus

An element of great importance for the functioning of the neuron, the Golgi apparatus is a large organelle in which the proteins generated by the Nissl large organelle in which the proteins generated by the Nissl bodies are temporarily stored, and other elements are incorporated so that they can be packaged into macromolecules that can be sent through the neuron to theThe Golgi apparatus is a large organelle in which proteins generated by the Nissl bodies are temporarily stored, and other elements are incorporated in such a way that they can be packaged into macromolecules that can be sent through the neuron to the nerve terminals.

6. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

A network of interconnected tubules whose main function is to serve as an assembly point for to serve as a point of assembly of many substances secreted by the other elements of the. It also participates in the synthesis of lipids and elements related to the membrane of the neuron. The Golgi apparatus mentioned above is, in fact, smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

7. Lysosomes

Set of elements present in the cytoplasm whose main function is to degrade intracellular material. degrade intracellular materialfacilitating the functioning of the soma by eliminating harmful debris.

8. Ribosomes

Present in some of the above structures but also freely localizable in the cytoplasm, ribosomes are macromolecules formed by ribosomal RNA and some proteins that are responsible for protein synthesis. that are in charge of protein synthesis. Technically, they are the elements that carry out the expression of the genetic information present in the nucleus, through this synthesis.

9. Mitochondria

Fundamental elements of the cell whose main function is to provide it with energy and maintain it with energy. provide it with energy and keep it aliveThe mitochondrion, carrying out cellular respiration and synthesizing ATP (an element used by cells as fuel).

Its function

The soma or perikaryon plays a fundamental role: it is the part of the neuron that governs the part of the neuron that governs the functioning and maintains the life of this Biological unit.The cell nucleus (in which the genetic instructions contained in the DNA are found) is located in the soma. It is responsible for producing and maintaining the energy level sufficient for the cell to continue functioning. It also contains elements that form the cytoskeleton of the cell, as well as some elements that repair it from possible damage, such as the Nissl bodies.

Perhaps the most important role of the soma is the fact that it is where the synthesis of most of the proteins found in the neuron takes place, including those that will form part of, or will initiate, the synthesis of the proteins found in the neuron. will initiate the synthesis of most of the neurotransmitters, and among them, those that will form part of or initiate the synthesis of most of the neurotransmitters..

Finally, it is from it that the extensions that will receive and send the nervous information are derived.

This is the part of the neuron that also allows the processing of nervous information, processing of the nervous information and its reaction to it, being the somas of the neurons.The somas of the neurons are an important part in explaining how human beings function and govern their behavior.

Bibliographical references

• Kandel, E.R.; Schwartz, J.H. & Jessell, T.M.. (2001). Principles of neuroscience. Fourth edition. McGraw-Hill Interamericana. Madrid.
• Ramón y Cajal, S. (2007). Histology of the nervous system of man and vertebrates. Volume i. Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. Madrid.