Nervous tissue is made of ____that receive and conduct impulses

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Neurons are the primary structural and functional units of the nervous system.
They are highly specialized cells designed to transmit information via electrochemical signals called nerve impulses or action potentials.
Nervous tissue is primarily composed of two types of cells: neurons (which conduct impulses) and neuroglia (which provide support).
A neuron receives signals through its dendrites, processes them in the cell body, and transmits them along its axon to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Option B: Mucus is a viscous secretion produced by mucous membranes for protection and lubrication, not a cell type involved in the nervous system.
Option C: Enzymes are proteins that function as biological catalysts to facilitate chemical reactions. They are not cells and do not conduct nerve impulses.
Option D: Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys, responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. They belong to the urinary system, not the nervous system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Composition and function of nervous tissue as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the function of neurons is fundamental to comprehending neurological disorders. For example, in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the myelin sheath covering the axon is damaged, which impairs the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse conduction, leading to various neurological symptoms.
A nurse's neurological assessment (e.g., checking reflexes, sensation, and motor function) is a direct evaluation of the integrity of neural pathways.
What if? If a patient has peripheral neuropathy (damage to peripheral nerves), the nurse would expect to find symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities because the neurons in those areas are unable to conduct impulses correctly to and from the central nervous system.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concepts in the question: 'nervous tissue' and its function, which is to 'receive and conduct impulses'.
This is a factual recall question asking for the basic functional unit of a specific tissue type.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of basic biology and anatomy.
Option A, 'neurons', are the nerve cells, which fits the description.
Option B, 'mucus', is a secretion, not a cell.
Option C, 'enzymes', are proteins, not cells.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-fUCc5ak1DGygeA0s0Y_i

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 401-403

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 1 p. 65-67

Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.