1.2

Question 1

what are glia?

Answer 1

cells found throughout the nervous system that provide various types of support for neurons.

Question 2

what are the functions of glia?

Answer 2

(1) supply nourishment for neurons
(2) provides insulation for axons
(3) helps to remove neurons’ waste products.
(4) may play a role in receiving and sending chemical signals

Question 3

what is the neural impulse?

Answer 3

complex electrochemical reaction

Question 4

what is the resting potential of a neuron?

Answer 4

its stable, negative charge when the cell is inactive

Question 5

what is the action potential?

Answer 5

a very brief shift in the neuron’s electrical charge that travels along the axon.

Question 6

what is the absolute refractory period?

Answer 6

the minimum length of time after the action potential, during which another action potential cannot begin

Question 7

what is the relative refractory period?

Answer 7

when the neuron can fire, but its threshold for firing is now elevated, thus intense stimulation is required to start another action potential.

Question 8

the neural impulse follows…

Answer 8

an all-or-none law