Ch 1 Flashcards
What is the purpose of a neuron?
To receive information and transmit it to other cells
How many neurons are in the cerebral cortex?
16 billion
How many neurons are in the cerebellum?
69 billion
How many neurons are in the spinal cord?
1 billion
What is Santiago Ramon y Cajal known for?
Cajal used Camillo Golgi’s findings on cell staining to demonstrate that cells remain separate instead of merging into one another.
What is the cell membrane and its purpose?
It is a structure that separates the inside of the cell from the outside environment. Contains protein channels that permit a controlled flow of water, oxygen, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and other chemicals.
What is the mitochondrion?
The structure that performs metabolic activities, providing the energy that the cell uses for all activities.
What is special about the mitochondrion?
It has genes separate from those in the nucleus and they differ from one another genetically.
What happens to people who have overactive mitochondrion?
They tend to burn their fuel rapidly and overheat
What happens to people who have less active than normal mitochondrion?
They are predisposed to depression and pains.
Mutated mitochondrial genes are a possible cause of
Autism
What are ribosomes?
Sites within a cell that synthesize new protein molecules
What is the endoplasmic reticulum?
A network of thin tubes that transport newly synthesized proteins to other locations.
What is the most distinctive feature about a neuron?
Its shape, which varies enormously form one neuron to another.
What are the structures of a neuron?
The soma (cell body), dendrites (branches that extend from the soma), axon (the channel that transports information to other neurons), and presynaptic terminal.
