Chapter 2 (from the slides) Flashcards
What is the structure of the neuron?
- contains the soma, dendrites, axon, synapse, and terminal buttons
What is the soma?
- the cell body
- contains the nucleus and much of the machinery that provides life processes to the cell
What are the dendrites?
- the input structures.
- serve as important recipients of the messages between neurons
What is the synapse?
messages that pass from neuron to neuron are transmitted across the synapse, a junction between the terminal buttons
What is the axon?
- long, slender tube, often covered by a myelin sheath and carries info from the cell boy to the terminal buttons
- basic message that it carries is the action potential
What is the terminal button?
the bud at the end of the branch of an axon; forms synapses with another neuron, and sends information to that neuron
What is an action potential?
- a brief electrical/chemical event that starts at the end of the axon next to the cell body and travels toward the terminal button
What is a neurotransmitter?
- a chemical that is released by the terminal button; has an excititory or inhibitory effect on another neuron
What is the synaptic connection between neurons?
- generally, signals travel in a single direct at the synapse, from the the terminal button to the dendrites.
- keep in mind that there are exceptions.
What is the unipolar axon classification?
- one stalk that splits into two branches
- usually sensory related to touch and proprioception
What is the bipolar axon classification?
- one axon, one dendritic tree
- usually non-touch sensory
What is the mltipolar axon classification?
- one axon, and many dendritic branches
What is a nerve?
- it is a bundle of neurons
What is the function of a neuron?
- it carries messages from the environment to he brain
What are sensory neurons?
- neurons that carry messages toward the brain
What are motor neurons?
- neurons that carry messages to the muscles
What are interneurons?
- connect neurons (local & relay)
What is contained in the internal structure of the neuron?
- nucleus, mitochondria, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, microtubles
What is the nucleus?
- structure in the central region of the cell, containing the nucleolous
What is the nucleolus?
- a structure that produces ribosomes
What is a ribosome?
- a cytoplasmic structure, made of protein, serves as the site of production of proteins translated from mRNA
What are chromosomes?
- strand of DNA that carries genetic information
What is a gene?
- functional unit of the chromosome, which directs synthesis of one or more proteins.
What is mitochondria?
- manufactures energy
- produces ATP
What does the goli apparatus do?
- does molecule assembly and packaging
What is cytoplasm?
- liquid in the cell that hold of the neuron structures
What is the function inside the axon?
- fast axoplasmic transport along microtubles
- kinesin molecules walk away from soma; dynein walks towards the soma
What is the function outside of the cell?
- signal transmission via action potential
What are glia cells?
- “glue”.
- provides physical support & insulation, control nutrient flow, and are involved in phagocytosis
What are astrocytes?
- provide physical support, remove debris, and transport nutrients to neurons
What are micrglia?
- involved in phagocytosis and brain immune function