Functional Neuroanatomy Flashcards
neuron
Also called nerve cell. The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of a cell body (soma), receptive extensions (dendrites), and a transmitting extension (axon).
glial cells
Also called glia or neuro glia. . Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain. They communicate with each other!
neuron doctrine
The hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.
synapse
The tiny gap btw neurons where information is passed from one to the other.
mitochondrion
A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cell’s processes.
cell nucleus
The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes
ribosomes
Structures in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins.
contiguous
close but not touching
dendrite
One of the extensions of the cell body that are the receptive surfaces of the neuron.
input zone
The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures. Usually corresponds to the cell’s dendrites.
cell body
Also called soma (plural somata). The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.
integration zone
The part of the neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity. Usually corresponds to the neuron’s axon hillock.
axon
A single extension from the nerve cell that carries action potentials from the cell body to other neurons.
conduction zone
The part of the neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated. Usually corresponds to the cell’s axon.
axon collateral
A branch of an axon from a single neuron.
axon terminal
Also called synaptic bouton. The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell.
output zone
The part of a neuron, usually corresponding to the axon terminals, at which the cell sends information to another cell.
multipolar n euron
A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon.
bipolar neuron
A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end.
unipolar neuron
Also called monopolar neuron. A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the receptive pole, the other end the output zone.
motor neuron
Also called motoneuron. A nerve cell that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle or gland.
sensory neuron
A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch.
interneuron
A neuron that is neither a sensory nor a motor neuron; it receives input from and sends output to other neurons.
arborization
The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons.
presynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that releases neurotransmitter.
postsynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter.
presynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter.
synaptic cleft
The space btw the presynaptic and postsynaptic elements.
postsynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane on the surface of the cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron.
synaptic vesicle
A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotrransmitter.
neurotransmitter
Also called synaptic transmitter, chemical transmitter, or simply transmitter. The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication btw neurons.
histology
The scientific study of the composition of tissues.
Nissl stain
A cell stain that reveals all cell bodies by staining RNA. Useful to determine density of cells & sizes.
Golgi stain
A cell stain that fills a small proportion of neurons with a dense dark product. Great to determine neuron’s shape. Only some neurons stained, not all like in Nissl.
autoradiography
A histological technique that shows the distribution of radioactive chemicals in tissue.
immunohistochemistry (IHC)
A technique in which labeled antibodies are used to visualize the histological distribution of specific proteins.
in situ hybridization
A technique in which labeled complementary nucleic probes are used to identify cells expressing specific messenger RNA transcripts, reflecting the activation of specific genes of interest.
tract tracer
A compound used to identify the routes and interconnections of neuronal projections.
receptor
Also called receptor molecule. A protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone.
neural plasticity
Also called neuroplasticity. The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment.
behavioral neuroscience
Also known as biological psychology. The study of the neural bases of behavior and mental processes.
correlation
The covariation of two measures. Correlation doesn’t prove causal relationship!
How many neurons are there?
80-90billion
axon hillock
A cone-shaped area from which the axon originates out of the cell body. Functionally, the integration zone of the neuron.
innervate
To provide neural input.
motor protein
A specialized kinetic protein molecule that conveys a load, such as a vesicle, from one location to another within a cell.
axonal transport
The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body. anterograde transport -> from cell body to axon terminal; retrograde transport -> from axon terminal to the cell body.