Nervous System Basics Flashcards
What are dendrites?
Branches extensions of a neutrons cell body
What is an axon?
One long extension that transmits signals to other cells
What is a synapse?
The junction at the end of an axon
What are glia cells?
Neuton support cells
What are sensory neurons?
Neurons that transmit information by external stimuli or internal conditions
What are interneurons?
Local circuits connecting neurons to the brain or ganglia
What are motor neurons?
Neurons that transmit signals to muscle cells
What is membrane potential?
The charge difference across plasma membrane
What is a sodium-potassium pump?
A pump that maintains the gradient of Na+ and K+ using ATP hydrolysis
What is the Nernst equation?
- ion equilibrium potential (Eion)
- Eion= 62mV (log [ion] outside/ [ion] inside)
What are leak channels?
Ion channels that are always open
What are gated channels?
Ion channels that open and close in response to stimuli
What is hyperpolarisation?
The increase in magnitude of membrane potential. Causes the inside of a membrane to be more negative
What is depolarisation?
The reduction in the magnitude of membrane potential. Causes inside of a membrane to be less negative
What is action potential?
Massive change in membrane voltage
