Neuron Flashcards
What does the nervous system do?
Transmits signals between the brain and body for voluntary and involuntary actions
At a cellular level, what is the nervous system composed of?
Neurons (nerve cell)
How do neurons connect to each other?
A synapse, which acts as a pathway between neurons
What clusters of nerve cell bodies make up the peripheral nervous system called?
peripheral ganglia
What are the two categories of peripheral ganglia?
sensory ganglia and the motor ganglia
What are the three types of neuron?
Sensory, motor and inter neurons
What do sensory neurons do?
Receive information in relation to the bodys senses
Where are sensory neurons mainly located?
sensory organs
What do inter-neurons do?
Connect to each other to allow us to think, see and perceive
Where are inter-neurons do?
Make up the majority of neurons in the brain
What do motor neurons do?
Cause muscular contraction and gland secretion
Where is the nucleus contained within a nerve cell?
The soma
What are the projections on neurons and what do they do?
Dendrites, they pass signals to the cell body
What is the elongated projection that carries signals away from the soma?
Axon
What substance surrounds the axon?
myelin sheath
What is an unmyelinated axon?
No myelin sheath
What is the difference between myelinated and unmyelinated neurons?
A unmyelinated axon has a comparatively lower speed of conduction
What do myelin sheaths contain?
Contains mitochondria to allow electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells
What are the periodic gaps between the myelin sheaths called?
Nodes of ranvier
What maintains the myelin sheath in the CNS?
Oligodendrocyte and astrocyte
What maintains the myelin sheath in the PNS?
Schwann cell
What is the process of the reflex arc?
Receptors in the skin detect sensation, this single travels along neurons into grey matter and relay neurons in the spine, then through motor neurons back to the muscle
