The Nissl bodies , additionally called substance of Nissl, is a structure that is in the interior of the neurons. In particular, it is observed in the nucleus of the cell (called soma) and also in the dendrites. The axons or nerve expansions through i beg your pardon neural signals take trip never absence Nissl bodies.

lock consist of swarm of unstable endoplasmic reticles. This framework exists only in cell that have nuclei, such together neurons.

You are watching: Function of nissl bodies


The bodies of Nissl serve, mainly, to synthesize and also to relax proteins. These are important for neuronal growth and regeneration that axons in the peripheral nervous system.

Nissl bodies are characterized as basophilic accumulations uncovered in the cytoplasm of neurons written of stormy endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. Its name comes from the psychiatrist and German neurologist Franz Nissl (1860-1919).

the is essential to recognize that in some physiological conditions and in details pathologies Nissl bodies can readjust and also dissolve and also disappear. An example is the Chromatolysis , Which will be defined later.

The bodies of Nissl have the right to be observed really easily in the optical microscope, because they space stained selectively through their contents of RNA.

exploration of the body of Nissl

A few years ago, researcher were do the efforts to find a means to detect the ar of mind damage.

To do this, they realized the a great way to uncover out was to dye the sums (nuclei) of the cell of the postmortem brains.

at the end of critical century, Franz Nissl uncovered a dye called methylene blue. This was originally offered to dye fabrics, however was discovered to have actually the capacity to stain the to move sums of brain tissue.

Nissl realized the there were particular elements in the dye-picking neurons, which got the name"bodies the Nissl"or"substance the Nissl." that is additionally called"chromophilic substance"because that its high affinity to it is in dyed by simple dyes.

that observed that they were created of RNA, DNA and also related protein in the cell core of the cell. In addition, castle were additionally dispersed in the kind of granules by the cytoplasm. The last is critical component the cells the is situated within the plasma membrane yet outside the cell nucleus.

In enhancement to methylene blue, numerous other dyes are offered to look in ~ the sums that cells. The most used is cresyl violet. This has allowed to recognize masses of cellular sums, besides the place of the body of Nissl.

Structure and also composition of the bodies of Nissl

The bodies of Nissl are accumulations of turbulent endoplasmic illusion (RER). These space organelles the synthesize and also transfer proteins.

castle are put next come the envelope that the neuronal soma, attached to it v the target of catching the crucial information for a correct synthesis the proteins.

Its structure is a set of stack membranes. The is called"rough"by that appearance, together it likewise has a large amount that ribosomes arranged in a spiral on its surface. Ribosomes are clusters of proteins and ribonucleic mountain (RNA) the synthesize proteins from the hereditary information they obtain from DNA through messenger RNA.

Structurally, the bodies of Nissl are created by a series of cisterns the are distributed throughout the cellular cytoplasm.

this organelles, having actually a large number that ribosomes, save ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and also messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA):


it is a type of ribonucleic acid that originates from Ribosomes , and also is essential for the synthesis of protein in all living beings. The is the most abundant component of the ribosomes, being uncovered in 60%. RNA is one of the only hereditary materials discovered in every cells.

top top the various other hand, antibiotics such together chloramphenicol, ricin or paromomycin plot by affecting rRNA.


Messenger RNA is the kind of ribonucleic mountain that transmits genetic information from the DNA that the neuronal soma come a ribosomes of the substance of Nissl.

In this way, it specifies the stimulate in i m sorry the amino acids of a protein are to it is in joined. Occupational by dictating a layout or pattern so that that protein is synthesized in the ideal way.

Messenger RNA is usually transformed prior to performing its function. Because that example, fragments are removed, others space not encoded, or details nitrogen bases are modified.

Alterations in this processes may be feasible causes of diseases of hereditary origin, mutations and also the syndrome of premature aging ( Progeria the Hutchinson-Gilford).


Apparently, Nissl bodies have the same role as the absorbent reticulum and the Golgi apparatus of any cell: to create and secrete proteins.

These frameworks synthesize protein molecules that are crucial for the infection of nerve impulses in between neurons.

They likewise serve come maintain and regenerate nerve fibers. The synthesized proteins travel along the dendrites and axons and replace proteins that are damaged in cellular activity.

Subsequently, the excess proteins that produce Nissl bodies are transmitted come the Golgi apparatus. There they room stored temporarily, and some are included carbohydrates.

In addition, when there is damages to the neuron or difficulties in its functioning, the bodies of Nissl are mobilized and gathers in the periphery of the cytoplasm to try to mitigate the damages.

on the other hand, Nissl bodies can store proteins to prevent their release right into the cytoplasm that the cell. Thus, it does no interfere through the to work of the neuron, publication only once needed.

because that example, if that releases uncontrolled enzymatic proteins the degrade other substances, they would certainly eliminate crucial elements crucial to the neuron.


The main change associated with Nissl bodies is the chromatolysis. That is characterized as the disappearance of the Nissl substance from the cytoplasm after ~ a mind injury and is a form of axon regeneration.

damages to axons will produce structural and biochemical changes in neurons. One of these alters is the mobilization in the direction of the periphery and the devastation of Nissl"s bodies.

when these disappear, the cytoskeleton is restructured and repaired, accumulating intermediary fibers in the cytoplasm. Nissl bodies can likewise disappear under excessive neuronal fatigue.

references Carlson, N.R. (2006). Physiology of habits 8ª Ed. Madrid: Pearson. endoplasmic reticulum. (S.f.). Recall on April 28, 2017, indigenous Wikipedia: Neuron Engine: Nissl Bodies. (S.f.). Re-cover on April 28, 2017, from Yale University: Nissl bodies. (S.f.). Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from Merriam-Webster: Nissl body. (S.f.). Retrieved on April 28, 2017, indigenous Wikipedia: Nissl body. (S.f.).

See more: 25+ Best Memes About Meet Me At The Club Its Going Down ", Meet Me In The Club Its Going Down

Recall on April 28, 2017, from Wikiwand: