5.3 Neuronal communication Flashcards
describe the reflex arc
sensory receptor ->sensory neurone ->relay neurone ->motor neurone -> effector
what is the central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
what does the sensory neurone consist of
dendrites
dendron
myelin sheath
node of ranvier
cell body with a nucleus
axon
axon terminals
what is the node of ranvier
the gaps between layers of myelin sheath wrapped around the dendron/axon
what does the relay neurone consist of
dendrites
cell body with a nucleus
axon
axon terminals
what does the motor neurone consist of
dendrites
cell body with a nucleus
axon
myelin sheath
node of ranvier
axon terminals
how is myelin sheath found on neurones
wrapped around each segment of the dendron/axon
describe the structure of the sensory neurone
-long dendron
-has myelin sheath
-short axon
describe the function of the sensory neurone
transmits action potential from the sensory receptor to the cell body (CNS)
describe the structure of the relay neurone
-many short dendrites
-many divisions of the axon
-no myelin sheath
-no dendron
describe the function of the relay neurone
transmits action potential within the central nervous system. Connects sensory and motor neurones
describe the structure of the motor neurone
-long axon
-has myelin sheath
-no dendron
describe the function of the motor neurone
transmits action potential from the CNS to axon terminals
What do Shwann cells do to neurones
they wrap themselves around the axon/ dendron to create the myelin sheath
the myelin sheath is the cell plasma membrane of the shwann cell
why are many neurones very long
because they can transmit the action potential over a long distance
describe myelinated neurones
-myelin sheath is wrapped tightly around neurones
-consists of several layers of the cell plasma membrane of the shwann cell
describe non-myelinated neurones
-several neurones are enshrouded in one loosely wrapped shwann cell
what are the advantages of myelination
-can transmit action potentials faster
-carry action potentials over long distances
what does the plasma membrane of the axon/dendron contain
sodium potassium ion pumps
describe the sodium potassium ion pumps
work through active transport (use of ATP) 3 sodium ions are pumped out the cell and 2 potassium ions are pumped into the cell
sodium ion channels are closed so sodium ions cannot reenter
potassium ion channels are open so some potassium ions may leave through facilitated diffusion
what does the cell cytoplasm contain and what does this mean
negative anions so the interior of the cell is maintained at a negative potential compared to the outside
define the resting potential
the potential difference across the membrane while the neurone is at rest
usually -60mv but can differ
what is depolarisation
when the sodium ion channels in the plasma membrane open and the ions diffuse into the neurone
when it reaches -50mv it is at the threshold value
positive feedback causes the sodium ion voltage gated channels to open and allows more sodium ions to diffuse into the neurone
define positive feedback
a mechanism that increases a change taking the system further away from the optimum