1. Neuronal Structure and Function Flashcards

1
Q

What are neurons?

A

specialized cells that transmit and process information from one part of the body to another

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2
Q

What are action potentials?

A

electrochemical impulses, localized area of depolarization of the plasma membrane that travels in a wave-like manner along an axon

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3
Q

What is synaptic transmission?

A

process by which the action potential reaches the end of an axon at a synapse and the signal is transformed into a chemical signal with the release of a neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft

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4
Q

What is a soma?

A

neuronal cell body that contains the nucleus

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5
Q

What are axons/dendrites?

A

slender projections that extend from the neuronal cell body

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6
Q

What does it mean for a neuron to be considered bipolar?

A

only contains one dendrite

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7
Q

What does it mean for a neuron to be considered multipolar?

A

contains multiple dendrites

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8
Q

What are synaptic knobs?

A

terminal branch of axons that forms connections with target cells

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9
Q

What is the synaptic cleft?

A

small gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of the next neuron

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10
Q

Where are chemical messengers released between neurons?

A

synaptic cleft

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11
Q

What are the two primary proteins that help establish the resting membrane potential?

A

Na/K ATPase
potassium leak channels

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12
Q

What is the resting membrane potential?

A

electrical potential across the plasma membrane; -70mV

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13
Q

What does the Na/K ATPase protein do?

A

pumps three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cells with the hydrolysis of one ATP

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14
Q

What does it mean for a neuron cell to be polarized?

A

cells are negative on the inside and positive on the outside

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15
Q

What does it mean for a neuron to be depolarized?

A

change in the membrane potential from resting to a less negative, or more positive, potential

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16
Q

What does repolarization mean?

A

return of the membrane potential to resting from a depolarized state

17
Q

What is myelin?

A

insulation sheath that surrounds axons in certain locations

18
Q

What are the nodes of Ranvier?

A

periodic gaps in the myelin sheath

19
Q

What is saltatory conduction?

A

process of myelin sheath dramatically speeding up the movement of action potentials by forcing the action potential to jump from node to node