Chapter 1 Flashcards
absolute refractory period
Na+ gates are incapable of opening; hence, an action potential cannot occur regardless of the amount of stimulation.
action potentials
a rapid depolarization of the neuron
afferent axon
two axons
carry signals to the brain and spinal cord as sensory data
axon
in neuron- transmission
can have many dendrites, but only 1 axon
faster transmission with mylin and diameter size
Cell body
in neuron- Integration/Summation
dendrites
in nueron- input
depolarize
refers to decreasing the
polarization towards zero
occurs when the negative charge inside the axon decreases
efferent axon
send signals from the brain to the muscles, glands and organs of the body in response to sensory input
electrical gradient
polarization, difference in electrical charge between inside and out of cell
gila
removing excess neurochemicals removing debris critical role in brain development, and brain damage control blood flow *forms myelin
Local anesthetic drugs
block sodium channels and therefore prevent
action potentials from occurring
microglia
the first and main form of active immune defense in the central nervous system (CNS).
nodes of Ranvier
short unmyelinated sections on a myelinated axon
oligodendrocytes
production of myelin in the central nervous system
relative refractory period
a stronger than normal stimulus is needed to elicit neuronal excitation
after absolute refractory period, Na+ channels begin to recover from inactivation and if strong enough stimuli are given to the neuron, it may respond again by generating action potentials
resting potential
difference in voltage
the electrical potential of a neuron or other excitable cell relative to its surroundings when not stimulated or involved in passage of an impulse
saltatory conduction
the “jumping” of the action potential from node to node.
Schwann cells
any of the cells in the peripheral nervous system that produce the myelin sheath around neuronal axons
concentration gradient
difference in distribution of ions between the inside and the outside of the membrane
sodium-potassium pump threshold
repeatedly transports 3 sodium ions out while drawing 2 potassium ions in
active transport, requires energy
hyperpolarization
increased polorization
occurs when the negative charge inside the axon increases
propagation of the action potential
transmission (movement) of an action potential down an
axon
the action potential moves down the axon by regenerating itself at successive points on the axon.
myelinated axons
Axons covered with a myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is found only in vertebrates and is composed mostly of fats
Molecular Basis of action P
- Sodium mostly outside, potassium mostly in
- When membrane is depolarized, NA and K channels open
- At peak of action p, sodium channels close