Chapter 7: Neuron Anatomy Flashcards
What are neurons? What do they do?
Nerve cells designed to transmit messages.
What are neurons made up of?
All have a cell body which contains the nucleus and is the metabolic center of the cell. Also has one or more slender processes extending from the cell body.
What is the cell body?
Metabolic center of the cell.
What are Neurofibrils?
Part of the cell body and are important to maintaining its shape.
What is a process?
Fibers that vary in length. Can be 3-4 feet in length.
What is the Axon Hillock?
Where the axon leaves the cell body.
What are axon terminals?
They form at the end of the axon.
What are neurotransmitters?
Contained in tiny sacs that are branches off of axon terminals. They are released into the extracellular space.
What is a synaptic cleft?
Tiny gap that separates one neuron from another.
What is the difference between oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells?
Oligodendrocytes are in the CNS and Schwann Cells are in the PNS. Oligodendrocytes sheaths also lack a neurilemma.
What is a neurilemma?
The part of the Schwann cell that is external to the myelin sheath.
What are tracts?
Bundles of nerve fibers that run through the CNS.
What are nerves?
Bundles of nerve fibers that run through the PNS.
