Major Regions Of Neurons

Question 1

what is cytoplasm?

Answer 1

the clear inner fluid of neurons and other cells

Question 2

what is the cell membrane?

Answer 2

the semipermeable divide that encloses the cytoplasm of neurons and other cells; the wall of the cell

Question 3

what are dendrites?

Answer 3

the short bushy fibres that branch out from the cell body; constitute the major signal-receiving area of the neuron

Question 4

what are soma?

Answer 4

the metabolic centre of the neuron, also known as the cell body

Question 5

what is an axon?

Answer 5

the single long fibre that extends from a neuron’s cell body; it’s function is to conduct neural signals from the cell body to other parts of the nervous system

Question 6

what are buttons?

Answer 6

the terminal endings of the axon branches

Question 7

what is a nucleus?

Answer 7

the large spherical structure in the cytoplasm of every cell; it is located in the cell body

Question 8

what is the endoplasmic reticulum?

Answer 8

the system of rough plate-shaped membranous sacs in the cytoplasm of cells; it’s rough appearance stems from the fact that it is covered with ribosomes; in neurons it is located in the cell body

Question 9

what are ribosomes?

Answer 9

structures on which each cell’s proteins are synthesized; attached to the endoplasmic reticulum

Question 10

what is the Golgi apparatus?

Answer 10

systems of smooth plate-shaped membranous sacs in the cytoplasm of cells; package proteins and other molecules in small membrane sacs

Question 11

what is the mitochondria?

Answer 11

structures of the cytoplasm that play a role in a cell’s respiration and in its production and use of energy (sing. mitochondrion)

Question 12

what are neurofilaments?

Answer 12

fine thread-like structures that form a matrix in the cytoplasm; Provide support for the cell membrane and maintain the shape of the neuron

Question 13

what are microtubules?

Answer 13

fine tubes that course through the neuralcytoplasm; Provide routes for the transport of molecules within neurons

Question 14

what are neurotransmitter molecules?

Answer 14

molecules that are released from the buttons of active neurons and influence the activity of other cells

Question 15

what are synaptic vesicles?

Answer 15

membrane sacs that store neurotransmitter molecules ready for release near the presynaptic membrane; manufactured by the Golgi apparatus

Question 16

what is the receptive area of a cell?

Answer 16

the dendrites and cell body of a neuron; the area of a neuron that receives most of its synaptic input

Question 17

what is an axon hillock?

Answer 17

cone-shaped structure between the cell body and the axon; action potentials are generated in the first segment of the axon, adjacent to it

Question 18

what are dendritic spines?

Answer 18

tiny protuberances on dendrites that are the location of dendritic synapses

Question 19

What are the nodes of Ranvier?

Answer 19

the gaps between adjacent glial segments on a myelinated axon

Question 20

What are ion channels?

Answer 20

specialized pores in the neuron cell membrane through which ions pass; some are chemical-gated and others are voltage-gated

Question 21

what is G-protein?

Answer 21

a protein molecule that is activated inside a neuron when a neurotransmitter molecule binds to the receptor on it’s associated signal protein

Question 22

what are signal proteins?

Answer 22

proteins that snake back and forth through the cell membrane seven times and conduct signals into the neuron when their associated receptors are activated

Question 23

what are signal proteins?

Answer 23

proteins that snake back and forth through the cell membrane seven times and conduct signals into the neuron when their associated receptors are activated