Ch34 Neurons and Nervous Systems Flashcards
Four distinct regions of a typical neuron:
Cell Body, Axon(s), Axon Terminal, Dendrites
Contains the nucleus and most of the cells organelles:
Cell Body
Extend from the cell body; bring information from other neurons or sensory (affuerent) cells to the cell body
Dendrites
Generates action potentials that are conducted down it’s length toward a target cell. The “telephone wires” of the neuron.
Axon
A bundle of axons that come from many different neurons
Nerve
Swelling that comes very close to the membrane of another neuron or target cell. Forms a synapse.
Axon Terminal
Small gap across which two neurons communicate
Synapse
The Neuron sending the information
Presynaptic neuron
The neuron receiving information
Postsynaptic neuron
Multilayered, lipid-rich wrap of non-conductive glial sheath membranes on neurons
Myelin
Remember: S.A.M.E.
Sensory-Affuerent, Motor-Effuerent
In animal species with increasingly complex sensory and behavioral abilities, information processing is increasingly centralized in…
Ganglia-in other words, a brain
The difference in electrical charge across plasma membranes
Membrane potential
Measure of difference of electrical charge between two points
Voltage
Membrane potential while neuron is “inactive,” negative on the inside, typically around -60, -70 mv
Resting Potential
