Neurons Flashcards
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell
What is a sensory neuron?
A neuron which takes a message from a sense organ to the CNS
What is a sensory neuron also called?
Afferent
What is a motor neuron?
A neuron which takes a message from the CNS to a muscle or gland
What is a motor neuron also called?
Efferent
What is a receptor?
A cell or group of cells that detects a stimulus
What is the function of nerve endings in a neuron?
To connect sensory neurons to receptor cells or sense organs
What are dendrites?
Fibres which are often highly branched that carry impulses towards the cell body of a neuron
What is the function of axons?
Axons carry impulses away from cell bodies of neurons
What is the function of Schwann cells in a neuron?
To produce a myelin sheath
What is the myelin sheath?
A fat-rich layer that insulates the electrical impulses of a neuron
What is a cell body of a neuron?
3 points
Contains a nucleus and cell organelles such as mitochondria which provide energy for the movement of nerve impulses
They form the dendrites and axons that may emerge from it as well as the neurotransmitter chemicals.
The cell bodies of sensory neurons are located outside the CNS while they are located within the CNS of motor neurons
What are axon terminals?
Branches formed by the splitting of an axon which carry impulses to neurotransmitter swellings
What are neurotransmitter swellings?
These release neurotransmitters which carry an impulse from one nerve cell to another
What is a ganglion?
A group of cell bodies located outside the CNS
