CHP2: A neuron AOS1

Question 1

Dendrites

Answer 1

An extension of a neuron that detects and receives information from other neurons. The little protrusions or ‘outgrowths’ are called dendritic spines.

Question 2

Soma

Answer 2

The soma (cell body) integrates the information from other neurons passed on from the dendrites. Once the incoming information has been integrated in the soma, it is transmitted along the axon.

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

A single, tube-like extension that transmits neuron information to other neurons (or cells in muscles/glands).

Question 4

Glial cells

Answer 4

Non-neuronal cells that function to surround neurons and hold them in place, supply nourishment and oxygen to neurons, and to remove dead neurons.

Question 5

Mylein

Answer 5

The fatty, white substance that surrounds and insulates the axon. It functions to block the interference from the activity of other nearby axons and it allows the messages to travel much faster.

Question 6

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 6

Because myelin sheath (coating) is not continuous along the full length of the axon between each segment of myelin are small unmyelinated gaps called nodes of Ranvier.
The neural message jumps from node to node which is thought to speed up the transmission.

Question 7

Axon terminal

Answer 7

Each axon terminal has a small knob-like structures that store and secrete neurotransmitter. The axonal terminals are specialized to release the neurotransmitters of the presynaptic cell into the synaptic cleft.

Question 8

Presynaptic neuron

Answer 8

The neuron that releases a message into the synapse.

Question 9

Postsynaptic neuron

Answer 9

The neuron that receives a message from the synapse.

Question 10

Synapse

Answer 10

Refers to the site where a neuron connects to another cell, including the presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic terminal.