Chapter 2- Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses Flashcards

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0
Q

glia (neuroglia)

A

smaller and more numerous than neurons. several types; many functions

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1
Q

neurons

A

cells that receive and transmit information to other cells

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2
Q

membrane (plasma membrane)

A

composed of two fat molecule layers, allows uncharged chemicals in and out of the cell; charged particles flow through protein channels

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3
Q

nucleus

A

the structure that contains the chromosomes

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4
Q

mitochondrion

A

provides the cell with energy; performs metabolic activities; requires fuel and oxygen to function

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5
Q

ribosomes

A

site of protein synthesis in the cell

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6
Q

endoplasmic reticulum

A

network of thin tubes that transport newly synthesized proteins to their locations

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7
Q

motor neuron

A

soma in the spinal cord; receives excitation from other neurons and conducts impulses to muscles and glands from the spinal cord

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8
Q

sensory (receptor) neuron

A

specialized at one end to be sensitive to certain kinds of stimulation (light, sound, touch)

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9
Q

dendrites/ dendrite spines

A

arbers; input branching fibers that extend from the cell body, lined with synaptic receptors to receive info from other neurons

short outgrowths that further branch out found on some dendrites

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10
Q

cell body (soma)

A

contains the nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria, and other structures

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11
Q

axon

A

long, thin fiber of a neuron responsible for transmitting nerve impulses toward other neurons, organs, muscles

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12
Q

myelin sheath

A

insulating material covering on vertebrate axons; composed of fats and proteins

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13
Q

nodes of Ranvier

A

interruptions along the myelin sheath, short unmyelinated sections

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14
Q

presynaptic terminals (end bulb)

A

end points that release chemicals that cross the junction between one neuron and the next

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15
Q

afferent axons

A

brings information into a structure

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16
Q

efferent axons

A

send information away from a structure

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17
Q

interneurons (intrinsic neurons)

A

those whose dendrites and axons are completely contained within a single structure

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18
Q

astrocytes

A

a glia that absorbs chemicals released by axons and later returns those chemicals back tot he axon to help synchronize the activity of neurons; removes waste

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19
Q

microglia

A

very small glia that removes waste materials as well as viruses, fungi

20
Q

oligodendrocytes

A

a glia that builds the myelin sheath around certain neurons in the brain and spinal cord

21
Q

schwann cells

A

a glia that builds the myelin sheath around certain neurons in the periphery of the body

22
Q

radial glia

A

guides the migration of neurons and the growth of their axons and dendrites during embryonic development

23
Q

the blood- brain barrier

A

a mechanism that surrounds the brain and blocks most chemicals from entering

24
Q

active transport system

A

protein mediated process that uses energy to pump chemical from the blood into the brain through the blood brain barrier (glucose, hormones, amino acids, vitamins)

25
Q

glucose

A

a simple sugar for neuron nutrition

26
Q

thiamine

A

vitamin needed to use glucose

27
Q

electrical gradient

A

a difference in the electrical charge inside and outside of the cell

28
Q

polarization

A

a difference in the electrical charge between two locations (slightly more negative on the inside relative to the outside)

29
Q

resting potential

A

the state of the neuron prior to the sending of a nerve impulse

30
Q

microelectrodes

A

A typical resting memebrane potential which is -70 millivolts (mV)

32
Q

selectively permeable

A

membrane which allows some molecules to pass freely while restricting others

33
Q

sodium-potassium pump

A

a protein complex that continually pumps three sodium ions out of the cells while drawing two potassium ions into the cell

34
Q

concentration gradient

A

the difference in distributions of ions between the inside and the outside of the membrane

35
Q

hyperpolarization

A

increasing polarization (when the negative charge inside the axon increases)

36
Q

depolarization

A

decreasing polarization towards zero (when the negative charge inside the axon decreases)

37
Q

threshold of excitation

A

the level that a depolarization must reach an action potential to occur

38
Q

action potential

A

messages sent by the axon; when the depolarization meets or goes beyond the threshold of excitation

39
Q

voltage-gated channels

A

regulating channels of sodium and potassium; permeability depends on the voltage difference across the membrane

40
Q

local anesthetic drugs

A

block the occurrence of action potential by blocking voltage-activated sodium gates

41
Q

all-or-none law

A

states that the amplitude and velocity of an action potential are independent of the intensity of the stimulus that initiated it

42
Q

refractory period

A

a period immediately after an action potential during which time the neuron resists the production of another action potential

43
Q

absolute refractory period

A

an action potential cannot occur regardless of stimulation (sodium gates are incapable of opening)

44
Q

relative refractory period

A

action potential can be initiated exceeding threshold (sodium gates can open, but potassium channels remain open)

45
Q

axon hillock

A

where the action potential begins; a swelling located at where the axon exits the cell body

46
Q

propagation of the action potential

A

the transmission/movement of an action potential down the axon

47
Q

saltatory conduction

A

the “jumping” of the action potential from node to node

48
Q

local neurons

A

small neuron with short dendrites, short axons

exchange information with only close neighbors, and do not produce action potentials

49
Q

graded potential

A

membrane potentials that vary in magnitude in proportion to the intensity of the stimulus