Biopsychology - Structure & function of sensory, relay & motor neurons. Flashcards
What is a neuron?
Nerve cells that produce & transmit electrical & chemical signals.
What are the 3 types of neurons?
- Sensory neurons
- Relay neurons
- Motor neurons
What is the role of sensory neurons?
They carry the messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system.
What is the role of relay neurons?
They connect sensory neurons to motor and other relay neurons.
What is the role of motor neurons?
They connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands.
Where is the nucleus of the neuron is located?
Soma
What are dendrites?
Branch like structures that protrude from the cell body (soma).
What is the function of dendrites?
Dendrites act as input sites where signals are received from other neurons.
What is the function of axons?
Carry impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron.
What is the role of the myelin sheath that covers the axon?
- Protects the axon
2. Speeds up electrical transmission of the impulse
I have long dendrites and short axons - what am I?
Sensory neurons
I have short dendrites and short axons - what am I?
Relay neurons
I have short dendrites and long axons - what am I?
Motor neurons
What are terminal buttons?
The terminal buttons contain synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the nervous system.
They communicate with the next neuron in the chain across a gap called as the synapse.
What happens to the charge of a neuron when it is in a resting state?
Inside is negatively charged compared to the outside
