6.2 Flashcards
Neuroscience
The study of the nervous system
Neurons
Nervous cells that transmit nervous signals
Glia
Nervous cells that support neurons and maintain homeostasis
Soma
The cell body of a neuron
Dendrites
Projections on the cell body of a neuron that recieves signals
Axon
Tail like structure of neuron that Carrie’s signals away from the cell body
Myelin sheath
Fatty covering on some neurons
Nodes of Ranvier
Periodic gaps in a myelin sheath that alllow a signal to travel very rapidly
Saltatory conduction
The process of a signal jumping from node to node rather than traveling continuously
Interneurons
Neurons that connect sensory neurons to other interneurons and motor neurons
Sensory neurons
Neurons that carry signals from organs to the spinal cord and brain
Resting potential
Difference in charge across the membrane of a cell at rest
Action potential
Process of depolarizing a neuron so a signal can travel down the axon
Refractory period
Time immediately following an action potential when a neuron can’t be stimulated
Active transport
Moving molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient and consuming ATP
Passive transport
Moving molecules across a membrane with their concentration gradient and not consuming ATP
Synapse
The gap between two neurons or between a neuron and an effector cell where a nervous signal is transmitted
Presynaptic cell
Cell at the beginning of a synapse that transmits a message
Post synapse cell
Cell at the end of a synapse that receives a message
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse
Vesicles
Small sacs of liquid enclosed by lipids, used to store neurotransmitters
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
Peripheral nerves and sensory receptors
Automatic nervous system
Regulates involuntary activities
