neurones Flashcards
what is neuroscience?
the study of the body’s nervous systems
what are the levels of analysis of neuroscience?
molecular,cellular,systems,behavioural,cognitive
what are neurones?
the basic functional unit of the brain, human behaviour and brain function therefore arises from different neurone communications, they make up the nervous system
define afferent and efferent
afferent=to carry to-axons carry info towards a particular point
efferent=to carry from-axons carry info away from a point
define unipolar, bipolar and multipolar
unipolar=single neutrite
bipolar=two neutrites
multipolar=two or more neutrites
what does the nervous system do and state its two parts…
-the nervous system controls every aspect of human behaviour e.g pain, learning and memory
-its two parts are the CNS and the PNS
what are the cells that make up the nervous system and what do they do?
neurons-process info, sense environmental chines,communicate change to other neurones and command body responses
what does the glia do?
insulates, supports,nourishes and contributes to the regulation of neurons
what is the structure of a neuron made up of?
-soma( cell body)
-dendrites
-axon
-neuronal membrane
-cytoskeleton
what is the neuronal membrane?
a 5nm thick barrier that encloses the cytoplasm and the structure of the discrete regions in the membrane can influence the neuronal function
what is the cytoskeleton?
internal scaffolding of the neuronal membrane, made up of three bones, microtubules,microfilaments and neurofilaments
what is the soma composed of?
-cytosol=watery fluid inside the cell
-organelles=membrane enclosed structures inside such as the red which is the site for protein synthesis
-the SER and Golgi apparatus=site for preparation and sorting of proteins for different cell regions
-mitochondrion=site of cellular respiration
-cytoplasm
what is the role of the axon?
responsible for sending info from one neuron to the next
-it consists of the axon hillock (beginning),axon proper (middle) and the axon terminal (end)
what is the differences between the axons and the soma?
the ER does not extend into the axon
what are synapses?
-the point of communication between neurons
-there is electrical to chemical to electrical transformation
what can happen if there is synaptic transmission dysfunction?
mental disorders can occur
what are the different types of synapses?
-chemical synapses (communication by chemical neurotransmitters)
-electrical synapses (communication by electricity)-this is very quick for communication between cells
what are dendrites and what is their role?
-Dendrites are the postsynaptic location of the neuron and they receive signals from the axon terminal and also act as a receptor
-they are responsible for receiving info relayed from the axon of neurones
-they have numerous branches unlike axons which are single fibres
-majority of synapses and receptors are found on dendrites
-they can be smooth or spiny
what are the different nervous system disorders?
-alzheimer’s disease
-cerebral palsy
-depression
-epilepsy
-multiple sclerosis
-parkinsons
-schizophrenia
-spinal paralysis
-stroke
what is Alzheimer’s disease?
a progressive disease of the brain which is fatality is shown by dementia
what is cerebral palsy?
a motor disorder, caused by damage to the cerebrum at birth
what is depression?
a disorder of mood,which can be shown by insomnia and loss of appetite
what is epilepsy?
a condition shown by disturbances pf brain activity that can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness and sensory disturbances
what is multiple sclerosis?
a disease that affects nerve conduction, shown by episodes of weakness, lack of coordination and speech disturbance
what is Parkinson’s disease?
a disease of the brain that leads to difficulty in voluntary movement
what is schizophrenia?
a psychotic illness shown by delusions,hallucinations and bizarre behaviour
what is spinal paralysis?
a loss of movement and feeling caused by damage to the spinal cord
what is stroke?
a loss of brain function caused by disruption to blood supply and leads to permanent sensorimotor or cognitive deficit
