1.2 Neurons Flashcards
What are neurons?
nerve cells that conduct electrical impulses and relay information through the body
What are the three basic parts of a neuron?
dendrite
cell body
axon
Do neurons undergo mitosis?
NO
How long can neurons survive without oxygen?
only minutes
What is the function of the neuronal cell body?
synthesizes all nerves cell products
What is a distinguishing feature of a neuronal cell body?
large nucleus
What is the function of dendrites?
receiving end of a neuron that conduct a nerve impulse toward the cell body
What is a distinguishing feature of a dendrite?
numerous short extensions that emanate from the body
What is the function of the axon?
conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body to the axon terminals
What do axons lack?
rough ER
What is lacking in the neuronal cell body?
centrioles since they do not undergo mitosis
What are neurotransmitters?
chemicals that carry the transmission of the nerve impulse from one neuron to another
Where are neurotransmitters stored?
secretory vesicles at the end of axon terminals
What is a synapse?
gap between two neurons
What does presynaptic neuron mean?
neuron before the synapse
What does postsynaptic neuron mean?
neuron after the synapse
How are neurons classified structurally?
by the number of extensions from their cell body
What are multipolar neurons?
neurons that have three or more extensions from the cell body
What are the main multipolar neurons?
motor neurons
What are bipolar neurons?
neurons with a central body and two extensions
