Chapter 3 Flashcards
Cell Body
Core region of the cell containing the nucleus and other organelles for making proteins.
Dendrites
Branching extension of a neurons cell membrane that greatly increases the surface area of the cell and collects information from other cells.
Axon
“Root” or single fiber of a neuron that carries messages to other neurons
Dendritic Spine
Protrusion from a dendrite that greatly increases the dendrites surface area.
The usual point of dendritic contact with other cell’s axons.
Axon Hillock
Juncture of soma and axon where action potential begins
Axon Collateral
Branch of an axon
Terminal Button
Knob at the tip of an axon that conveys information to other neurons.
Synapse
Junction between one neuron and another that formed the information transfer site between neurons
Sensory Neurons
Neuron that carries incoming information from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain.
Interneuron
Association neuron interposed between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron
Motor Neuron
Neurons that carries information from the brain and spinal cord to make muscles contract.
Bipolar Neuron
Sensory neuron with one axon and one dendrite.
Somatosensory Neuron
Brain cell that brings sensory information from the body into the spinal cord
Pyramidal Cell
Distinctive interneuron found in the cerebellum
Where are motor neurons located?
In the brainstem and spinal cord
Ependymal Cells
Produce and secrete cerebrospinal fluid
Found on well of the ventricles in the brain.
Hydrocephalus
Build up of pressure in the brain.
In infants swelling of head is caused if the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked
Astrocyte
Star shaped glial cell
Provides structural support and transports substances between neurons and blood vessels
Blood Brain Barrier
Tight junctions between cells that compose blood vessels in the brain
Provide barrier to the entry of substances
Microglia
Glial cells that originate in the blood
Aid in the repair and scavenge debris in the nervous system
Myelin
Glial cells in the CNS that myelinate axons
Schwann Cells
Glial cells in the PNS that myelinates sensory and motor axons
Multiple Sclerosis
Disorder that results from the loss of myelin around neurons
What are the four main functions of glial cells?
Provide nutrients to Neurons, removing waste, insulating, acts as nerve glue
Golgi body
Membranous structure that packages protein molecules for transport
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Folded layers of membrane where proteins are assembled.
How can we describe the flow of information contained in the genetic code?
DNA transcribed into mRNA
MRNA translated by ribosomes into amino acids
