MIDTERM (first 3 weeks) Flashcards
what is the role of dendrites
receptors pick up signals from other neurons (neurotransmitters)
what is the role of soma
takes info from dendrites and stores it at the axon hillock - if the signal is strong enough it is sent to axons
what are the three parts of a neuron
soma, dendrites and axons
define neuron
cells that are specialised for long distance electrical signalling and intercellular communication
what is the role of the axon
signal (action potential) travels down the axons which is covered in myelin (to help prevent the signal from degrading)
why is the myelin covering helpful
prevents the signal from degrading
what is the role of axon terminals
when the signals reaches the axon terminal it causes the release of neurotransmitters (delivers to the next neuron, repeating the process)
what is the role of glia
support the activity of neurons but do not themselves participate in electrical signalling
what are the threee types of glia
astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglialcells
what is the function of astrocytes
to maintain
- an appropiate chemical environment
- secrete substances that influence the construction of new synaptic connection
what is the function of oligodendrocytes
oligodendrocytes lay down a laminated lipid rich wrapping called myelin around some axons - Myelin has important effects on the speed of transmission of electrical signals
- subsets of oligodendrocytes can retain neural stem cell properties and can generate new cells in response to injury or disease
what is the function of microglial cells
share properties ewith macrophages
secrete signalling molecules
can modulate local inflammation and influence whether other cells survive or die
what is the role of sensory systems
acquire and process info from the int. and ext. environments
what is the role of motor systems
respond to info by generating movements
what is the role of associational systems
mediate the most complex and least well characterised brain functions
cns
brain and spinal cord
what is grey matter
accumulation of cell bodies and neuropil in the brain and spinal cord
what is white matter
axon tracts and commissures
directional term: superior
above
directional term: inferior
below
directional term: anterior
in front of
directional term: posterior
behind
directional term: sagittal plane
separating left and right brain
directional term: coronal plane
across front of brain
what is the point of a semipermeable membrane
keeps everything thats needed inside, everything unwanted outside
what does the intracellular micro-electrode do
measures the electrical potential across the neuronal plasma membrane
what is the membrane potential
the difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron
when at rest what ion is more prevalent inside the cell
K+
what is the resting membrane potential
-70mV
what does the sodium potassium pump do
transport protein that uses energy to constantly pump 3 Na+ ions out of the cell while pumping two potassium ion s into the cell
- more positive ions going out than in, membrane potential is kept negative