Exam 1: Cells of the Nervous System Flashcards
Neurons
Specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit electrical and chemical signals.
Glia
Support cells in the nervous system that provide structural and functional support for neurons.
Dendrites
Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive incoming signals from other neurons.
Dendritic spines
Small protrusions on dendrites that increase surface area for synaptic connections.
Dendritic plasticity
The ability of dendritic spines to change in shape and number, affecting learning and memory.
Cell Body (soma)
The main part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and organelles.
Axon
A long projection from the neuron that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.
Axon hillock
The region of the neuron where action potentials are initiated.
Presynaptic terminals
The ends of an axon where neurotransmitters are released to communicate with other neurons.
Action potential
A rapid electrical signal that travels down the axon to transmit information.
Myelin
A fatty substance that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission.
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps in the myelin sheath that allow for rapid conduction of action potentials.
Saltatory conduction
The jumping of action potentials from one node of Ranvier to another, increasing conduction speed.
Synapse
The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitter communication occurs.
Presynaptic
The neuron that sends a signal at the synapse.
Postsynaptic
The neuron that receives a signal at the synapse.
Unipolar neuron
A neuron with a single process that branches into axon and dendrites, commonly found in sensory pathways.
Bipolar neuron
A neuron with one axon and one dendrite, found in sensory systems like the retina.
Multipolar neuron
A neuron with multiple dendrites and one axon, the most common type in the nervous system.
Motor Neuron
A neuron that transmits signals from the CNS to muscles to initiate movement.
Sensory neuron
A neuron that carries sensory information from the body to the CNS.
Interneuron
A neuron that connects other neurons within the CNS and processes information.
Astrocytes
Star-shaped glial cells that maintain the blood-brain barrier and provide metabolic support.
Oligodendrocytes
Glial cells in the CNS that produce myelin for multiple neurons.
Schwann cells
Glial cells in the PNS that provide myelin for a single neuron.
Microglia
Immune cells of the CNS that remove debris and protect against infections.
Ependymal cells
Glial cells that line the ventricles of the brain and produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
