Neurons Flashcards
What is the morphological division?
CNS and PNS
What is cephalisation?
the formation of central ganglia and brains in one end of the animal body
What is the dorsal chord?
in the vertebrate line of the animal kingdom
What is the ventral chord?
In the invertebrate line
What are the main functions of the nervous system?
TO monitor and regulate inner organs, release chemical messengers
Is the neural membrane polarised?
yes
Where are ion channels distributed?
along the neural membrane
Ion’s distribution and properties enable the neruon to…
generate tiny localised bioelectric currents.
What do all neurons have?
Input zone,
integration zone,
conduction zone,
output zone
What is the input zone?
soma, dendrites
What is the integration zone?
between soma and axon
what is the conduction zone?
axon
what is the output zone?
axon terminals
Neuronal membrane is selectively what?
permeable
Most channels are made from ___ proteins that assemble themselves to produce a central _____
4
pore
Ion channels have a selectivity filter that only allows…
ions of a particular charge and size to pass through
What does the semi-permeable membrane allow
diffusion whilst the passage is open. When ion channels in the neural membrane open, ions can diffuse.
When ion channels are closed, ions can diffuse inside the cell and along the membrane but not beyond the membrane and out of the cell.
Ion distribution differs inside and outside of the cell which forms an
electrochemical gradient
What are the three classes of ion channels
Gated ion channels, ion pumps, lead channels
What do gated ion channels do?
remain closed until activation for a very brief period of time, either by electrical signals (voltage-gated) or by drugs or messenger molecules (ligand-gated).
What are voltage-gated?
electrical signals
What are ligand-gated
messenger molecules
WHat do ion pumps do?
actively transport ions in and out of the neuron
What do leak channels allow
a specific ion type to freely diffuse (e.g. they are always open and let K+ through but not Na+)