Basics Flashcards
1
Q
What is an axon?
A
An axon transmits bursts of electrical potentials down to the terminal buttons. These action potentials can have a frequency of up to 500 Hz.
2
Q
What is a myelin sheath?
A
A fatty cell that wraps around the axon which increases the conduction velocity to about 100 metres per second
3
Q
What are the gaps between myelin sheaths called?
A
Nodes of ranvier
4
Q
What is an excitatory neurotransmitter?
A
They bind to receptors on the dendrites and cause sodium ion channels to open and the cell depolarises.
5
Q
What does an inhibitory neurotransmitter do?
A
Causes chloride ions to flow in and the cell becomes less likely to depolarise.
6
Q
A
