A&P - Chapter 18 (Part 3) Flashcards
What do Schwann cells do? (2)
- Support nerve fibres
2. Forms a myelin sheath on axons in the PNS
What do schwann cells have a similar function to?
Oligodendrocytes in the CNS
- wraps itself around the axons of the neurons
What does myelin act as?
An insulator
What is myelin formed by in the CNS?
Oligodendrocytes
What is myelin formed by in the PNS?
Schwann cells
What are unmyelinated spaces called?
Nodes of Ranvier
What is the node of Ranvier capable of generating? Why?
- Electrical activity
- saltatory conduction - Not insulated
Saltatory conduction
Allows for rapid and effective transmission of a nerve impulse
Saltatory
Jumping
What are neurons?
Excitable cells that initiate and conduct impulses that make all nervous system functions possible
- structural/functional units of the NS
What are the 3 main parts of the nervous system?
- Dendrites
- Cell body
- Axon
What does the cell body contain? (2)
- Nucleus
2. Organelles
What are dendrites?
Branching projections
What do dendrites do?
They conduct impulses to the cell body
What is the main part of the neuron?
The cell body