Nervous System Flashcards
Resting potential Maintained by:
3 Na+ pumped out for every 2 K+ in
Action Potential
stimulus acts on the neuron, depolarizing the membrane of the cell body
Impulse Propagation
Depolarization (Na+ rushing into axon) followed by repolarization (K+ rushing out of axon) along the nerve axon
The Synapse
Voltage gates Ca2+ channels open, sending Ca2+ into the cell
Vesicles fuse with presynaptic membrane sending the neurotransmitter across the synaptic cleft
Neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, triggering depolarization
Soma of a Neuron
cell body, contains ER, nucleus, ribosomes
Dendrites
appendages that emanate from the soma and receive incoming signals
Axon hillock
receives info from dendrites and integrates it and sums the incoming signals to determines if the action potential will fire
Axon
long appendage that terminates in close proximity to a target structure
Myelin Sheath
Insulates the nerve fibers to increase conduction speed
Oligodendrocytes
produce myelin in the CNS
Schwann Cells
produce myelin in the PNS
Synapse
Composed of the nerve terminal, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane
Ganglia
groups of cell bodies in the PNS
Nuclei
groups of cell bodies in the CNS
Glial Cells
structural and supportive roles
Astrocytes
nourish neurons and form the blood-brain barrier
Ependymal Cells
line the ventricles of the brain and produce cerebrospinal fluid
Microglia
phagocytic cells in the CNS
Temporal Summation
multiple signals integrated in a short period of time
Spatial Summation
additive effects based on # and location of incoming signals
Absolute Refractory Period
no amount of stimulation can cause another action potential
Relative Refractory Period
must be greater than normal stimulation to cause action potential
Factors Affecting Speed of AP
length of axon (longer=slower)
cross sectional area of axon (narrow= slower)
Three Ways to Remove Neurotransmitters from the Cleft
broken down by enzymatic reaction
brought back into presynaptic neuron using reuptake carriers
diffuse out of the cleft