Chapter 1: Neural Signaling Flashcards
What is the neuron doctrine?
A theory proposed by Santiago Ramon y Cajal that nerve cells are discrete and are polarized to receive and transmit information/are able to communicate with each other by means of specialized contracts.
What are synapses?
The gap between two neurons. This was also proposed by Sherrington, who worked on the electrical transfer of information and named them synapses.
How were the cells of the nervous system divided?
Either nerve cells or neurons and their supporting glial cells
What is a feature of glial cells?
They are more numerous than neurons and sometimes connected through gap junctions.
What is the function of neurons?
They are support cells and are essential for the brain to function but also vital for their development.
What is a gap junction?
The continuity between cells
What is a gap junction?
The continuity between cells
What are some biological features that neurons share?
They all share a nucleus, mitochondria, organelles and golgi’s, and endoplasmic reticulum.
What are dendrites?
The branching portion of the neurons which is what distinguishes the neuron from other cells.
What is an axon?
The singular portion that holds all the dendrites.
What is an arbor?
It is the branched network of dendrites
What consists of the CNS?
The brain and the spinal cord
What consists of the PNS?
The network of neurons and axons, also Schwann cells
What is the terminal field?
It is the local branches and the presynaptic terminal made up by a axon
What are synaptic vesicles?
They are synaptic vesicles found in the pre synapse and are the active zone for neurotransmitters
What is the neurotransmitter receptor?
The area where neurotransmitters are released by the presynaptic cell
What do glia cells do and not do?
Glia do not participate in synaptic transmission and instead only interact with pre and post synaptic neurons to maintain signaling capacity.
