nerves and neurons Flashcards
what is a neuron
a neuron is specialised in the receiving and conduction of nerve impulses
what is a dendrite?
it receives nerve impulses from other neurons
what is a dendron?
it transmits nerve impulses from dendrites to the cell body
what is the axon?
it transmits nerve impulses away from the cell body
what is the myelin sheath?
it protects and insulates the axon or dendrons to enhance nerve impulse transmission
what are schwann cells?
they wrap themselves around axons or dendrons to form layers of myelin sheath
why are there gaps in between the myelin sheath on the axon or dendrites?
to speed up nerve impulse transmission
what are the function of sensory neurons?
sensory neurons transmit nerve impulses from the receptors to the central nervous system
what are the functions of motor neurons?
motor neurons transmit nerve impulses from the central nervous system to the effectors, which are either muscles or glands
what are the functions of relay neurons?
they relay impulses from sensory neurons to motor neurons inside the central nervous system
what is the synapse?
the synapse exists between one neuron and the next, or between a neuron and the effector.
what are the functions of neurotransmitters?
neurotransmitters help to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. they bind to receptors on the dendrite of the following neuron/effector, which triggers a nerve impulse
