ch 2. Flashcards
glial cells
non-neuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain.
neuron doctrine
The hypothesis that…
- The brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally
- Information is transmitted from one neuron to the next across tiny gaps
Synapse
The tiny gap between neuron where information is passed from one to the other
Mitochondrion
A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cell’s processes
Cell Nucleus
The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes
Ribosomes
Structure in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce genes
Dendrites
Receptive extensions of the neuron cell body
Input Zone
The part of the neuron that receives information from other neurons
Usually corresponds with the cell’s dendrite
Cell Body
AKA Soma (plural is Somata)
The region of the neuron that is defined as the presence of the cell nucleus
Integration Zone
Part of the neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity, usually corresponds to the neuron’s axon hillock
Axon
A single extension from the nerve cell that carries action potentials from the cell body to other neurons
Conduction Zone
Part of the neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated, usually corresponds to the axon
Axon Collateral
A branch of an axon from a single neuron
Axon Terminal
AKA Synaptic Bouton
The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell
Output Zone
Part of the neuron, usually the axon terminals, at which the cell sends information to another cell
