Chapter 2 - Structure of Neurons Flashcards
What is a Dendrite?
The Part of the neuron that receives chemical messages from other Neurons
What is the Cell Body (AKA, Soma)
Collects Neural Impulses, Contains Nucleus and, Provides life sustaining functions for the cell
What is the Axon?
The Part of the neuron that transports electrical impulses to other neurons via the terminal branches.
What is the Terminal Branch? (AKA terminal buttons)
The part of the neuron that converts electrical signals into chemicals messages to other neurons
What is the Myelin Sheath?
A Layer of fatty tissue that covers and insulates an axon to ensure that electrical messages travel fast and meet less resistance
- Critical for normal human brain development
- Made up of Glial Cells or glia
What is Glia (=Glue):?
The cells that make up the Myelin sheath around neurons to insulate, support, and nourish neurons and mudal neuronal function
- Responsible for vacuuming up neuronal debris; Serve as glue between neurons
- ESSENTIAL FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
What is Electrical Signaling?
Activation of the Action potential
What is the Action Potential?
The Electrical signal that passes along the axon and subsequently causes the release of chemicals from the terminal buttons (INSULATED BY MYELIN SHEATH)
What is Chemical Signaling?
Flow of neurotransmitters
What Triggers Chemical Signaling?
Action Potentials
What Do Neurotransmitters cross?
the SYNAPSE from terminal branches of one neuron to the dendrite of another
What does Excitatory Synapses Mean?
More Liekly for Neuron Activity
What does Inhibitory Synapse mean?
Less likely for Neuron Activity?
What is the order of sending messages for neurons?
Axon creates electrical signal (Action Potentials)
Axon Sends it to Terminal Branches
Terminal Branches convert it to chemical signals (NEUROTRANSMITTERS)
Dendrite Receives Chemical Signals\
Soma (Cell body) Stores these neural impulses
What is a synapse?
The Gap between Neurons
