Nerve and Synapse Flashcards
What is a neuron?
An electrically excitable cell that receives. processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.
What is the soma?
The cell body
What are dendrites?
They extend from the soma to receive synaptic contacts from other neurons.
What is the axon?
The axon carries signals to target cells and provides a transport route to terminals.
What is a synapse?
A site for interneronal communication that contains proteins for neurotransmitter release.
What is a neurotransmitter?
A chemical released from presynaptic terminals upon stimulation.
What is a receptor?
A protein that detects chemical signals and initiates chemical response.
What are glial cells?
Cells that act like a glue, they are 10-50x more abundant than neurons, and neurons could not function without them.
