Neurons Flashcards
What is a neuron and what are the parts of it?
A neuron is a nerve cell
Dendrites, cell body, mitochondria, nucleus, myelin sheath, nodes of ranvier, axon hillock, schwann cells, axon terminals, terminal buttons, axon
When do neurons transmit signals?
When triggered by a sensory input, or by a neighbouring neuron
What are synapses?
Contact points between neurons
What are sent across the synaptic gap?
Neurotransmitters (chemical messages), allow us to feel good, sleep, etc
What is the role of a neuron?
To receive + transmit messages in the brain in response to info received from rest of body
What are nerve impulses/electrical impulses?
Info passed from neuron to neuron in form of electrochemical messages
What does the cell body contain?
- Cell nucleus which contains genetic material for that neuron
- Mitochondria which gives energy to neuron
What are attached to the cell body + what are their roles?
Dendrites = Receive msgs from other neurons to trigger an action potential (electrical impulse) within cell
What is the role of an axon?
Extension of cell body that passes electrical impulse towards axon terminals
Attached to cell body
What attaches the axon to the cell body?
Axon hillock = Where nerve impulse is triggered from
What are around the outside of axons?
Myelin sheath = Layers of fatty deposit that provide insulating layer to axon + help speed up rate of msg transmission
What are the nodes of ranvier?
Breaks between the cells along the myelin sheath
What do axon terminals do?
Pass nerve impulses from cell body to parts if body they control or activate - could be another neuron
What do action terminals contain?
Vesicles that store neurotransmitters ready for next stage of neural transmission
