Nerve Tissues Flashcards
What are the two main types of nerve tissue?
Neurons and glial cells
What is an axon?
The axon is a threadlike extension of a neuron that carries electrical impulses known as action potentials away from the nerve cell body to be received by other neurons.
What is a dendrite?
Dendrites are located on the end of a neuron. Dendrites are responsible for making synaptic connections and receive signals from axons.
What is a cell body?
A cell body (soma) is the core section of the neuron. The cell body contains the nucleus which gets signals from different neurons by using its dendrites. The cell body contains genetic information, maintains the structure, and provides energy to drive neural activity.
What is the structure of a sensory neuron?
A sensory neurons have long dendrites and short axons.
What is the structure of an interneuron?
Interneurons have short dendrites and short axons.
What is the structure of a motor neuron?
A motor neuron has short dendrites and long axons.
What is the general function of a sensory neuron?
Sensory neurons get information about what’s going on inside and outside of the body and bring that information into the CNS so it can be processed. Sensory neurons are activated by sensory input from the environment.
What is the general function of an interneuron?
Interneurons, which are found only in the CNS, connect one neuron to another. They receive information from other neurons (either sensory neurons or interneurons) and transmit information to other neurons (either motor neurons or interneurons).
What is the general function of a motor neuron?
Motor neurons get information from other neurons and convey commands to your muscles, organs and glands referred to as effectors (effectors are muscles that respond to nerve impulses). Stimulation from the electrical impulse of an effector will produce a response such as muscle contraction or hormonal release.
What is a synapse?
A synapse is a small gap at the end of a neuron that allows neurons to transmit information. Synapses are found where neurons connect with other neurons. Impulses pass through the diffusion of neurotransmitters.
What is myelin sheath?
Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around the axon and protects it from foreign electrical impulses. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and in trade the speed at which neurons convey their message.
What are nodes of Ranvier?
The node are the gaps formed between the myelin sheath where the axons are left uncovered. The nodes of Ranvier allow for ions to diffuse in and out of the neuron, and propagate the electrical signal down the axon.
What are Schwann cells?
Schwann cells are cells in the peripheral nervous system that form the myelin sheath around a neuron’s axon. They are a type of glial cell that surrounds neurons, keeping them alive.
What is the peripheral nervous system? (PNS)
The peripheral nervous system (PNS), consists of the parts outside the brain and spinal cord and is composed of nerves that are responsible for carrying signals between the CNS and the rest of the body.
