Chapter 2- Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses Flashcards
glia (neuroglia)
smaller and more numerous than neurons. several types; many functions
neurons
cells that receive and transmit information to other cells
membrane (plasma membrane)
composed of two fat molecule layers, allows uncharged chemicals in and out of the cell; charged particles flow through protein channels
nucleus
the structure that contains the chromosomes
mitochondrion
provides the cell with energy; performs metabolic activities; requires fuel and oxygen to function
ribosomes
site of protein synthesis in the cell
endoplasmic reticulum
network of thin tubes that transport newly synthesized proteins to their locations
motor neuron
soma in the spinal cord; receives excitation from other neurons and conducts impulses to muscles and glands from the spinal cord
sensory (receptor) neuron
specialized at one end to be sensitive to certain kinds of stimulation (light, sound, touch)
dendrites/ dendrite spines
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
cell body (soma)
contains the nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria, and other structures
axon
long, thin fiber of a neuron responsible for transmitting nerve impulses toward other neurons, organs, muscles
myelin sheath
insulating material covering on vertebrate axons; composed of fats and proteins
nodes of Ranvier
interruptions along the myelin sheath, short unmyelinated sections
presynaptic terminals (end bulb)
end points that release chemicals that cross the junction between one neuron and the next
afferent axons
brings information into a structure
efferent axons
send information away from a structure
interneurons (intrinsic neurons)
those whose dendrites and axons are completely contained within a single structure
astrocytes
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