L06: Neurobiology Flashcards
Human Nervous System
A network of neurons that transmits signals throughout the body.
Central Nervous System
Consists of the spinal cord and brain
Spinal cord
Nerve cable that emerges from the base of the brain and extends about 2/3 of the way down the vertebral column,
Peripheral System
Nervous system outside of the CNS. Includes the somatic and autonomic systems.
Somatic Nervous System
Transmits signals to CNS from muscles and joints via nerves.
Autonomic Nervous Systems
Regulates the internal environment of the body. Stimulates glands and organs. Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic signaling.
Sympathetic Signalling
Prepares the body for action. Chronic stress leads to increased activity of this system.
Parasympathetic Signalling
Returns the body to resting state
Endocrine System
A communication network that influences thoughts, behaviours, and actions through hormones.
The endocrine system is primarily controlled by ___
the hypothalamus
T or F The endocrine system signals slower than the nervous system
True
Glial Cell
An essential part of the nervous system allowing neurons to function (Glia means “glue” in Greek). There are microglia and there are macroglia
Microglia
Smaller glial cells, responsible for protecting the CNS. They can metabolize dead tissue and are involved in keeping the CNS healthy
Types of Macroglia
Astrocytes and Oligodendrocytes
Macroglia
Larger glial cells.
Astrocytes
Link neurons to blood vessels, forming part of the blood-brain barrier. They engulf synapses (where neurons connect), regulating neurotransmitter release during synaptic transmission
Oligodendrocytes
they surround axons in the CNS, forming the myelin sheath that insulates axons, which allows the electrical signal that travels in the axon to travel faster
Soma
A neuron’s cell body
Axon Hillock
The axon hillock is located at the end of the soma and controls the firing of the neuron.
Axon
carries nerve impulses away from the cell body
Myelin Sheath
An insulating layer that allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells
Node of Ranvier
Periodic gap in the insulating sheath (myelin) on the axon of certain neurons that serves to facilitate the rapid conduction of nerve impulses
Axon Terminal
The sites where synapses with other neurons are found, and neurotransmitters are stored there to communicate with other neurons via these synapses.
Terminal buttons
Located at the end of the neuron and are responsible for sending the signal on to other neurons
Synapse
A structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron
Dendrite
Appendages that are designed to receive communications from other cells
Vesicle
Store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messengers in the body. Their job is to transmit signals from nerve cells to target cells.
Presynaptic cell/ terminal
the cell that releases neurotransmitters that will stimulate the postsynaptic cell. separated from the other neuron by the synaptic cleft
Post synaptic cell/ terminal
The receiving part of the synapse b/n two neurons
Information flow in the neuron
- A signal is received at the dendritic spines, at the post-synaptic terminals, where the neuron synapses with the axon of another neuron.
- This signal can produce an electric current that travels from the dendrite to the soma of the neuron.
- If the signal accumulating at the axon hillock in the soma is strong enough, the receiving neuron will “fire”, i.e., it will produce an electrical impulse at the axon hillock.
- This electrical impulse travels down the axon toward the terminal buttons (the pre-synaptic terminals).
- When the electrical impulse reaches the pre-synaptic terminal, it can produce a chemical signal: the release of neurotransmitters.
- When neurotransmitters reach the post-synaptic terminal of the receiving neuron: Go back to point 1 above.
Three types of neurons
Interneurons, sensory neurons, and motor neurons