Exercise Stimulates Neuronal Growth

• 22 Jan 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has revealed that exercise not only strengthens muscles but also stimulates neuron growth through biochemical and physical mechanisms. 

Note: Muscle is a specialized tissue that generates force and enables movement. Composed of contractile proteins like actin and myosin, it facilitates contraction and relaxation. 

• The human body has three muscle types: Skeletal (voluntary, striated, controls movement and posture), Cardiac (involuntary, striated, pumps blood), and Smooth (involuntary, non-striated, maintains organ functions). 

What are the Key Findings of the Study? 

• Nerve-Muscle Crosstalk: The study challenges the traditional view that nerves only control muscles, revealing a bidirectional relationship:  
  • In which muscles promote nerve growth by releasing chemical signals, while the mechanical forces from muscle contractions help improve nerve structure and support regeneration. 
• Role of Myokines: Exercise increases the secretion of myokines, a biochemical compound released by muscles. Which significantly enhance neuronal growth (4x faster) and improve neural maturity and functional abilities. 
• Physical Stress and Neuronal Growth: Physical forces generated during muscle contraction mechanically stimulate nerves, promoting neuronal growth comparable to myokine exposure. 

What are Key facts about Nervous System and Neurons? 

• Nervous System: The nervous system facilitates communication between body parts using electrical and chemical signals, enabling responses to internal and external changes.  
• Types and Function: It has two main components like the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).  
  • The CNS includes the brain (controls body functions and consciousness), and the spinal cord (transmits signals to and from the body).  
  • The PNS consists of all nerves outside the CNS and is divided into the Autonomic Nervous System (which regulates involuntary functions, like heart rate and digestion) and the Somatic Nervous System (which controls voluntary movements and sensory input).  

• Neurons: Neurons (also called neurons or nerve cells) are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system. 
  • The cells responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, for sending motor commands to our muscles, and for transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between. Each neuron has three main parts:  
    • Dendrites: Receive incoming signals from other neurons or sensory receptors. 
    • Axon: Carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles. 
    • Axon Terminals: Release neurotransmitters to pass signals to the next cell. 
  • Neurons communicate with each other through synapses, where neurotransmitters bridge the gap between cells. 

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims 

What is the Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news? (2019)

(a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing 

(b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients 

(c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant 

(d) A herbicidal substance synthesised in genetically modified crops 

Ans: (a)