Neurons Flashcards
What are neurons?
A specialized cell which communicated with 1000s of other cells at a time in huge networks.
What is plasticity
The Brains ability to change and adapt with new experiences
GO LABEL A DIAGRAM OF A NEURON
DO IT
Axon?
Passes electrical impulses down to the end of the neuron to allow it to communicate with other neurons.
Dendrites?
Branches at the top end of a neuron that receive messaged from other neurons
Cell body?
Main part of the cell where the nucleus sits, also contains mitochondria
Nucleus?
House of genetic material for that particular neuron
Axon Hillock?
Connects cell body to axon
Myelin sheath
Fatty deposit that provides electrical insulation for an axon and allows electrical nerve impulses to be passed along quickly
Nodes of Ranvier?
Gaps between ejacent myelin sheath
Synapse
Space in between two neurons, where electrical signal can be passed along
Schwann cell
Holds Myelin sheath together
Axon Terminal
End of the axon that leads to the terminal button
WHICH NEURON IS WHICH
GOOD
Sensory neuron function
Receives messaged from the senses and send these to the CNS
Interneuron function
Only found in CNS, connects neurons to the other neurons in the CNS
Motor neuron function
Takes messaged from the brain and spinal cord (CNS) to muscles and glands
What is an excitatory response
When the neurotransmitter binds to the receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, the post synaptic neuron becomes positively charged and an action potential id created, meaning it will be more likely the next neuron will fire
What is an Inhibitory response?
When the neurotransmitters bind to the receptors in the post synaptic membrane, the post synaptic neuron becomes negatively charged and an action potential is not created, which makes it less likely the next neuron will fire
Describe the steps of synaptic transmission
- Presynaptic neuron - electrical impulse travels down the axon and arrives at the synaptic terminal
- Vesicles release neurotransmitters, electrical impulse binds, becomes chemical and diffuses across the synaptic gap
- Neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the post-synaptic neuron
- If the summation (overall charge of the impulse) is positive then the post synaptic neuron will fire (excitatory) and the impulse continues
- Neurotransmitters then:
- Broken down by enzymes in the synapse
- Reabsorbed (reuptake) by the pre-synaptic
Neuron read for the next impulse - Diffused away
