Neuronal control Flashcards
Why are different proteins needed in a membrane to allow diffusion of different ions?
Each protein and ion have different shapes so they need to be specific and complementary to each other
What are the roles of sensory receptors?
They are specialised cells that transduce the energy of a stimulus into electrical energy in an action potential that is transmitted in a neurone.
Generate receptor potentials on stimulation
If a threshold intensity is reached, the sensory neurone, specific to that receptor is stimulated to generate an action potential.
What is a sensory receptor?
A cell, or group of cells, in which a change in the external or internal environment, produces a nerve impulse or action potential.
What must happen for an action potential to be produced?
The stimulus must be at or above a certain threshold level
What is a transducer?
All receptors are an example of transducers, they are adapted to detect changes in particular forms of energy.
What are the 3 types of neurone?
Sensory
Relay
Motor
What are the similarities between sensory and motor neurones?
Both have:
Cell body, nucleus, dendrites, axon, (myelin sheath/nodes of Ranvier)
What are the differences between sensory and motor neurones?
Only sensory neurones are in the peripheral nervous system and have dendrons, cell body in the middle of the axon, shorter axon. Impulse goes to relay neurone.
Only motor neurones are in the central nervous system and have largest axon, short dendrites, no dendrons and a cell body before the axon. Impulse goes to effector muscle/gland.
In what direction does the dendron/dendrites take the impulse?
Towards the cell body
In what direction does the axon take the impulse?
Away from the cell body
Structure of all neurones?
Long - impulse can travel far.
Plasma membrane lots of gated ion channels to control movement of Ca2+, K+ and Na+ ions.
Na+/K+ pumps use ATP for active transport.
Neurones maintain a potential difference across their plasma membrane.
Cell body has nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes
Dendrites connect to other neurones
Axon carries impulse away from the cell body
surrounded by fatty layer to insulate, composed of schwann cells
Description of cell body
Contains nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm
Description of dendron
Short extensions that come from the cell body
Description of axon
Elongated nerve fibres - cylindrical and consists of narrow region of cytoplasm surrounded by plasma membrane
Description of myelin sheath
Layers of membrane around axon
Description of Nerve-muscle junction
Where a nerve joins a muscle
Description of dendrites
Small branches of dendrons
Function of cell body
Cytoplasm - ER / mitochondria produce neurotransmitters
Function of dendron
Divide into smaller branches called dendrites that transmit electrical impulses to cell body
Function of axon
Transmit impulse away from cell body
Function of myelin sheath
Speed up electrical impulse (insulate axon)
Function of nerve-muscle junction
Stimulates muscle fibres to contract
Function of dendrites
Transmits electrical impulses to cell body
What is myelin sheath made of?
Schwann cells
Lipid and protein
What do Schwann cells do to myelinate a neurone?
Wrap around them so the myelin sheath consists of several layers of membrane and thin cytoplasm from the Schwann cells
What does the myelin sheath prevent?
Movement of ions across the membrane
Where does the movement of ions still occur in a myelinated neurone?
The Nodes of Ranvier
What is called when the action potential jumps from one node of ranvier to another?
Saltatory Conduction
How is impulse conduction different in unmyelinated neurones?
Impulse has to pass through all the membrane instead of jumping from one Node of Ranvier to another
How is the arrangement of Schwann cells and neurones different in an unmyelinated neurone?
Un - Axons in 1 Schwann cell that isn’t wrapped around
Myelinated - 1 Axon surrounded in a Schwann cell that is wrapped around
What happens to the speed of transmission in myelinated neurones?
Increased. means the action potential reaches the end neurone much quicker so there’s a more rapid response to a stimulus.
What happens to the distance travelled by the impulse in myelinated neurones?
Carry impulse much further, from sensory receptors to CNS to effectors
What are non-myelinated neurones normally used for?
Carry action potentials over short distances. Normally coordinating body functions like breathing and actions of the digestive system.
When is a neurone at resting potential?
When there is no impulse