Anatomy of the Neuron along with Oxidative Stress

Article 1(Neurons): The Human Memory: Neurons & Synapses

Article 2(Oxidative Stress): Antioxidants, Oxidative Damage & Oxygen Deprivation Stress: a Review

Authors of Article 1: Luke Mastin

Authors of Article 2: Olga Blokhina, Eija Virolainen, and Kurt V. Fagerstedt

Date 1: 2010

Date 2: 16 January 2002

Link 1: http://www.human-memory.net/brain_neurons.html

Link 2: http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/91/2/179.short

Summary: A neuron is a cell possessing eletrical capabilities that allows them to connect to other neurons to transmit data throughout our body. Neurons play a huge role in the central nervous system. They relay information such as sensory (sight, noise, touch, smell) and spinal transmission for the spinal system. The generalization of the anatomy of the neuron can be made up in three parts: the soma, dendrites, and axon. The soma of the neuron is the bulk of the organism and the dendrites are the figures that branch of the soma to create neurotic synapses. The axon connects to the soma which branches off the to form axon terminals and can be used to transmit signals from axon to other neurons. So in a general picture of how a synapse works, the axon from a separate neuron will come in contact with a dendrite or soma from another neuron and send electrochemical impulses for transmissions. The axon terminal contains numerous (thousands) amounts of neurotransmitters. Examples of neurotransmitters are glutamate, GABA, dopamine, melatonin, and seratonin.

                 Oxidative damage is where the production of reactive oxygen or superoxide are produced in the body to lead to oxidative damage and stress. It is believed that these are the genesis for common symptoms and diseases such as ADHD, cancers, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and many more. If there is an increase in product of superoxide, then that means there will be a less amount of antioxidants being produced in the body. This is the beginning of oxidative damage. Antioxidants inhibits the production of free radicals which can be used to damage lipids and proteins in the body. Regarding lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids are primary targets when free radicals are created through the oxidation. Hyperoxides can take over cells and the contents within such as the base-pairing of DNA to remodel its pairing creating many kinds of syndromes. An common antioxidant is ascorbic acid and their function is to terminate oxidation reactions. Studies show that degeneration can be prevented with antioxidants and possibly other nutrient based formulas. This also stems the idea that oxidative damage can be replinished and repaired from damaged fatty acids through the consumption of more fatty acids.