Chapter 2 (Cells & Structure) Flashcards
glial cells
Also called glia. Nonneuronal brain cells thta provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain.
synapse
The cellular location at which information is transmitted from a neuron to another cell.
input zone
The part of a neuron that receives information, form other neurons or from specialized sensory structures.
dendrite
An extension of the cell body that receives information from other neurons.
integration zone
The part of a neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity
cell body or soma
The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.
conduction zone
The part of a neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated.
axon
Also called nerve fiber. A single extension from the nerve cell that carries action potentials from the cell body toward the axon terminals.
output zone
The part of a neuron at which the cell sends information to another cell.
axon terminal
Also called synaptic bouton. The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or another target cell.
motoneuron
Also called motor neuron. A neuron that transmits neural messages, to muscles (or glands).
sensory neuron
A nerve cell that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch.
interneuron
A nerve cell that is neither a sensory neuron nor a motoneuron; interneurons receive input from and send output to other neurons.
multipolar neuron
A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon (most common).
bipolar neuron
A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end.
unipolar neuron
Also called a monopolar neuron. A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and extends in two directions; one end is the input zone, and the other end is the output zone.
presynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that releases neurotransmitter.
postsynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter.
presynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane on the surface of a nerve cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter fro a presynaptic neuron.
synaptic cleft
The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons at a synapse.
synaptic vesicle
A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter.
neurotransmitter
The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons.
neurotransmitter receptor
A protein tat captures and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone.
neural plasticity
The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment.
axon hillock
The cone-shaped area on the cell body from which the axon originates.
innervate
To provide neural input to.
axon collateral
A branch of an axon
axonal transport
The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body.
ogliodendrocyte
A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system.
Schwann cell
A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
myelin
The fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells. This sheath improves the speed at which nerve impulses are conducted.
node of Ranvier
A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed.
multiple sclerosis
Literally, “many scars”; a disorder characterized by the widespread degeneration of myelin.
astrocyte
A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions.
microglial cells
Also called microglia. Extremely small glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells.
edema
Swelling of tissue, especially in the brain, in response to injury.
gross neuroanatomy
Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye.
CNS
The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.
peripheral nervous system
The portion of the nervous system that includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord.
nerve
a collection of axons bundled together outside of the CNS
motor nerve
A nerve that transmits information from the CNS to the muscles and glands
sensory nerve
A nerve that conveys information from the body to the CNS
cranial nerve
A nerve that is connected directly to the brain (12)
spinal nerve
Also called somatic nerve. A nerve that emerges from the spinal cord.