biopsychology- structure and function of neurons Flashcards
what is a neuron?
-nerve cells that are part of the nervous system
-80% localised in the brain
how do neurons transmit info?
-electrically- through action potentials
-chemically- neurotransmitters
what do all neurons consist of?
-cell body
-dendirtes
-an axon
what are dendrites and what do they do?
-receive signals from other neurons or from sensory receptors
-connected to the cell body (soma)
what is the function of the cell body?
control the centre of the neuron which contains all the genetic info of the cell
what is an axon?
long structure connected to the cell body
what is an axon terminal?
end of axon where neurotransmitters are found
what’s a myelin sheath?
-insulating layer that forms around the axon
-allows nerve impulses to transmit more rapidly along the axon
-if damaged impulses slow down
sensory neuron- dendrites and axons
-long dendrites
-short axons
what’s the function of a sensory neuron?
-carry messages from the sense receptors in the PNS to the CNS
do all messages from sensory neurons go to the brain?
-not all
-some terminate in spinal cord to allow reflex actions quickly w/o delay of sending impulses to brain
motor neuron- dendrites and axons
-short dendrites
-long axons
what is the function of motor neurons
-located in spinal cord
-fibre (axon) projects outside spinal cord to directly or indirectly control effector organs mainly muscles and gland
relay neuron- dendrites and axons
-short dendrites
-short axons
what is the function of relay neurons?
-connect neurons to motor neurons or other relay neurons
