Neuron Structure & Anatomy

Question 1

Define Neuron Doctrine

Answer 1

Neurons are the basic signaling unit of the nervous system

Question 2

Define Principle of Dynamic Polarization

Answer 2

Signals flow in a predictable and consistent direction

Question 3

Define Principle of Connectional Specificity

Answer 3

There is no direct cytoplasmic connectivity between neurons and idea that the connections formed between neurons are specific, not random

Question 4

There is new evidence that gap junctions are present where?

Answer 4

1. ) Between dendrites (in certain systems)
2. ) Between Neurons & Glial cells (in other instances)

Question 5

What is one possible function of the newly discovered gap junctions?

Answer 5

Storage of extracellular calcium necessary for release of neurotransmitters

Question 6

A genrealized neuron has 4 distinct areas, what are they?

Answer 6

1. ) Receptive area
2. ) Intergrative area
3. ) Conductive area
4. ) Output area

Question 7

What is the Receptive Area for and what does it contain?

Answer 7

For localized input

Contains: Dendrites & Cell Body

Question 8

What is the purpose of the Intergrative Area? And what does it consist of?

Answer 8

1.) Triggering a response

Contains: Axon Hillock

Question 9

What is the Conductive Area for and what does it contain?

Answer 9

For carrying a signal

Contains: Axon

Question 10

What is the Output Area for and what does it contain?

Answer 10

For secretory

Contains: Axonal Terminals

Question 11

How can neurons be classified?

Answer 11

• Size
• Number of processes
• Direction they project

Question 12

Dendrite is affiliated with what Neuron area

Answer 12

Receptive area

Question 13

Soma is affiliated with what neuron area

Answer 13

Receptive Area

Question 14

Axon Hillock is affiliated with what neuron area

Answer 14

Intergrative area

Question 15

Axon is affiliated with what neuron area

Answer 15

Conductive Area

Question 16

Terminals are affiliated with what neuron area

Answer 16

Synapse; Secretory Area

Question 17

Dendrites only have what type of channels?

Answer 17

Chemically gated channels

Question 18

Where does Action Potential start?

Answer 18

Axon Hillock

Question 19

Why is the Axon hillock the only place an AP can occur?

Answer 19

Because it has voltage gated channels that are specific to a single threshold level

Question 20

Axons have what type of channels?

Answer 20

Voltage Gated Channels

Question 21

In what “area” can Action potentials decay?

Answer 21

Receptor/receptive areas (ie. Dendrites & the Soma)

***NOTE: they will not decay once traveling down an axon (conductive area)

Question 22

Where do vesicles release neurotransmitters to go into the synaptic cleft?

Answer 22

The Terminals (synapse; secretory area)

Question 23

At the terminal/synapse, what causes vesicles to migrate to the membrane of a cell?

Answer 23

Voltage Gated Calcium Channels