Nerve Cells and Neural Pathways Flashcards
What do nerve cells provide the body with?
Rapid communication and control.
What is the function of nerve cells?
To conduct nerve impulses from one part of the body to another.
What are the three types of nerve cells?
- Sensory
- Relay
- Motor
What does each neuron consist of?
- Cell body
- Axon
- Dendrites
Where do sensory neurons pass impulses?
From sense organs to the CNS.
Where do motor neurons pass impulses?
From the CNS to the effectors.
Where do relay neurons pass impulses?
From sensory neurons to motor neurons.
What is the function of the cell body?
It controls metabolism and contains ribosomes for the production of neurotransmitters.
What is the function of dendrites?
To receive messages from other cells.
What is the function of the axon?
To pass messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles or glands.
What is the function of the terminal branches of the axon?
To from junctions with other cells.
What is the myelin sheath?
Fatty material that insulates the axon with small gaps called nodes.
What does the presence of the myelin sheath do?
It greatly increases the speed of transmission of the impulse from the node.
What is myelination?
The development of myelin around axon fibres.
Why are responses in children aged under two relatively slow?
As their myelin sheath has not fully developed.
