Microanatomy Flashcards
What is the soma?
Core region of the neuron that processes information (body).
What are the dendrites?
Branching extensions that receive information.
amount of dendrites=…
amount of incoming information
What are dendritic spines?
Protrusion form a dendrite that serves as a point of contact with other axons.
What are the axons?
White matter axle that carries information to other neurons.
What is myelin sheath?
Fatty substance that insulates axons. Helps signal further, faster and stronger. Only present on the axons.
What is the axon hillock?
The point of which the axon leaves the soma.
What are axon collaterals?
The point at which the axon branches out. Allows message to be sent in multiple directions simultaneoulsy.
What are terminal buttons?
Buttons at the end of neuron that stops extremely close to other neurons.
What is the synapse?
Junction between one neuron and the other. Space between dendritic spine and terminal button.
What are the two cell types?
- Neurons
- Glia Cells
What do neurons do?
Carry out the brain’s major functions.
What glia cells do?
Aid and modulate the activity of neurons. Maintenance, nourishment, metabolism, synthesis & clean-up.
What are the types of neurons?
- Sensory neurons
- Interneurons
- Motor neurons
What do sensory neurons do?
Transmit sensory information.
What are the subtypes of sensory neurons?
- Bipolar neurons
- Somatosensory neurons
What do interneurons do?
Link sensory & motor neurons. and branch extensively to collect more information.
What are the subtypes of interneurons?
- Stellate cell
- Pyramidal cell
- Purkinje cell
What do motor neurons do?
All outgoing information must pass through motor neurons to reach target muscles.
What do glia cells do?
Glia (L. glue) cells provide insulation, nutrients, and support to all neurons.
What are the subtypes of glia cells?
- Ependymal
- Astrocyte
- Microglia
- Oligodnedroglia
- Scwann
What are the roles of Microglia and Schwann cells?
They play a role in repairing damaged neurons in the PNS.
Is repair common in CNS?
No, it is much less common than in the PNS.
What do axons do?
- Carries information
- Connects neurons to each other
- Consists of white matter
What are the axon bundles called?
- Nerve when outside of CNS
- Tract within the CNS
