CHAPTER 1 | PART 2 Flashcards
specialized cells for reception, conduction, and
transmission of electrochemical signals (information processing and communication)
NEURONS
- discovered in the late 1800s by Santiago Ramón y Cajal using staining
NEURONS
- “tree” in Greek
- branching fibers
- receives information from other neurons
DENDRITES
- “body” in Greek
- nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria
CELL BODY (SOMA)
- “axis” in Greek
- thin fiber which conveys an impulse toward
other neurons, an organ, or a muscle
AXON
insulation
MYELIN SHEATH
- gaps or interruptions in between
the myelin sheaths
NODES OF RANVIER
- buttons
- swellings at the end of each axon where
chemicals that cross through the junction
between that neuron and another cell are
released
AXON TERMINAL
brings information into a structure
afferent neuron
carries information away from a structure
efferent neuron
dendrites and axons are
found within a single structure
interneuron
holds neurons together
GLIA
- wrap around the synapses of functionally
related axons to shield it from chemicals - generates rhythms (e.g., breathing)
- dilate blood vessels to bring more nutrients
into brain areas with heightened activity - tripartite synapse
ASTROCYTES
- brain and spinal cord
- has extensions that wrap around the axons
of some neurons to supply them with
nutrients
OLIGODENDROCYTES
removes viruses and fungi from the brain
MICROGLIA
- peripheral nervous system
- supply an axon with nutrients necessary
for proper functioning
SCHWANN CELLS
NOREPINEPHRINE/NORADRENALINE
- locus coeruleus
- hormone
- concentration
- contraction of muscles and blood vessels
- increase of glucose
- circulation of fatty acids
guide the migration of neurons during
embryonic development
RADIAL GLIA
prevents certain chemicals from entering the
brain to minimize the risk for irreparable damage
BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
substances released by one cell at a synapse that produce a reaction in a target cell
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
ventral tegmental area
- feelings of pleasure
- movement and motivation
- can lead to addiction
DOPAMINE
- “love hormone”
- empathy, sexual activity, and relationship-building
OXYTOCIN
- hay fever, itching, and sleeping
- reaction to allergies
HISTAMINE
- thought, learning, and
memory - muscle contraction
- attention and
awakening
ACETYLCHOLINE
- adrenal gland
- increases heart rate and blood flow
- produced during stressful, threatening, or exciting
situations - fight or flight
EPINEPHRINE/ ADRENALINE
- Raphe Nuclei
- feeling of happiness and well-being
- mood
- sleep cycle and digestive system regulation
SEROTONIN
- body’s natural pain killers
- happiness or euphoria
ENDORPHIN
- relaxation of muscles and control of breathing
- calming
- improves focus and lowers anxiety
- “off switch”
GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA)
- developing and creating nerve pathways
- learning and memory
- “on switch”
GLUTAMATE
