Nerve Cell Flashcards
Basic structure of neuron?
Cell body or soma: holds the nucleus and other cell organelles
Dendrites: accept and pass information
Axon Hillock: Place where action potentials are generated
Axon: Provides signal that either goes to next neuron or target cell
Nerve terminals: Passes information to the dendrites of next neuron or a target organ
What’s axon covered with?
Myelin Sheath which prevents signal loss and increase conduction speed
What’s myelin made of in central and peripheral nervous system?
Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells respectively
What’s nodes of ranvier?
Gaps between the myelinated sections that makes the signal jump really fast in comparison to unmyelinated neuron
What happens in voltage gated channels?
Sodium leaks out of the cell while potassium leaks into the cell. Both are positive, however, cell is slightly losing the positive charge as more sodium leaves but less potassium comes in
What’s depolarization?
It occurs when membrane potential rises above the resting potential
What’s hyperpolarization?
Occurs when membrane potential goes below the resting potential
What does endocrine mean?
Endo (into) and crine (to secrete) i.e. specifically to secrete hormones into the blood stream
What are the two main types of hormones?
Peptide (amino acids) and steroid (cholesterol) hormones
What are the seven main hormones in anterior pituitary (glandular)?
~Flat Peg
Flag represents tropic hormones that act indirectly on the target organ.
Follicle Stimulating and Luteinizing Hormone: Needed for ovulation and in the testes. They promote production of sperm and testosterone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the adrenal cortex
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone: TSH which regulates the hormone
Peg represents hormones that act directly on the target organ i.e. no intermediary gland needed
Prolactin: Stimulates milk production in mammary glands
Endorphins: Natural Pain killers
Growth hormone (somatotropin): Stimulates growth and cell production
