Chapter 2 - Neuro Functionality Flashcards
What are neurons in the nervous system?
The communicators of the nervous system, the basic unit of the nervous system, are each composed of a cell body, a receptive component called a dendrite, and a transmitting component called an axon.
What are Glial Cells?
They provide support for and contribute to information processing neurons, it is also called glia or neuroglia. It is a nonneural brain cell that provides structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain.
What is the Neuron Doctrine?
The hypothesis is that the brain is composed of cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.
What are Synapses?
The tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other.
What is a cell body in a neuron?
It is also called soma. The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus
What are some types of organelles in the Cell Body?
- Mitochondria - Produces energy.
- Cell Nucleus - Contains genetic material.
- Ribosomes - translates genetic instructions into proteins.
What are the four distinct zones structures that are directly related to info processing?
- Input Zones
- Integration Zones
- Conduction Zones
- Output Zones
What is an Input Zone?
The dendrites are a part of this zone and allow for the information to be received via the synapses of other neurons. The dendrite can be elaborate to connect with other neurons.
What are Integration Zones?
The information is then integrated by the cell body, combining the information the neuron has received to determine whether or not to send a signal of its own.
What are Conduction Zones?
The axon carries the neuron’s electrical signals away from the cell body. Before the axon ends it splits into multiple branches called axon collaterals.
What are Output Zones?
At specialized ends of the axon called axon terminals - where synapses form -, the activity of the neurons is transmitted across the synapses to other cells.
What are the different classifications of info processing neurons?
- Multipolar Neurons
- Bipolar Neurons
- Unipolar Neurons
What is Multipolar Neuron?
These neurons have many dendrites and a single axon, they are the most common type of neuron.
What is a Bipolar Neuron?
These have a single dendrite at one end of the cell and a single axon at the other end.
This type of neuron specializes in sensory systems, such as vision. So it is especially common in these systems.
What is a Unipolar Neuron?
(also called monopolar) have a single extension, usually thought of as an axon, that branches in two directions after leaving the cell body.
One end is the input zone with branches like dendrites; the other, the output zones. Such cells transmit touch information from the body to the spinal cord.
What is an Interneuron?
A neuron that is neither a sensory neuron nor a motor neuron; receives input from and sends output to other neurons
What is a Motor Neuron?
A nerve cell that transmits motor messages, stimulating muscles or glands
What is a Sensory Neuron?
A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch
What are Dendrites?
It’s like a branch-like arborization (the elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons)
What does Presynaptic mean?
Referring to the region of a synapse that releases the neurotransmitter
What does Postsynaptic mean?
Referring to the region of the synapses that receives and responds to neurotransmitters
What three principle components do synapses break down into?
- Presynaptic Membrane/cell
- Synaptic Cleft
- Postsynaptic Membrane/cell
What is the Presynaptic Membrane?
The specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron transmits information by releasing a neurotransmitter
What is the Synaptic Cleft?
The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes