Biopsychology - Neurons Flashcards
What do neurons do?
- receive & transmit information to other cells
- essential for communication within the body
What are the 3 main types of neurons?
- Sensory
- Motor
- Relay
What is the structure of a neuron?
- same cellular structure for different types
- anatomical differences depending on function
(e. g. size)
Neurons have the following parts;
- nucleus
- cell body
- dendrites
- myelin sheath
- axon
- nodes of Ranvier
- pre-synaptic terminals
- receptors
What is the function & structure of sensory neurons?
- to process information taken from the 5
senses & tell brain about the environment
(internal & external) - long dendrites
- short axons
What is the function & structure of relay neurons?
- to carry messages from one part of the CNS
to another - connect motor & sensory neurons
- short dendrites
- short axons
What is the function & structure of motor neurons?
- to carry signals from the CNS, helping organs
(&glands) & muscles function - short dendrites
- long axons
What is a synapse?
The small gap between neurons
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals in the brain that carry signals between neurons
What are excitation & inhibition?
The effects that a neurotransmitter can have on action potential
Excitatory effect - cell becomes MORE active
Inhibitory effect - cell becomes LESS active
What is synaptic transmission & the process?
The process by which nerve impulses & messages are carried between neurons.
- electrical nerve impulse travels down neuron
- prompts release of neurotransmitters
- chemicals released from vesicle into synapse
- next neuron takes up n.trans. using receptors
- chem. converted into new electrical impulse
- impulse continues to be transmitted
What is a synaptic vesicle?
A small pocket in the pre-synaptic terminal which contain neurotransmitters
