neurons and neural transmission Flashcards
neurotransmitters
molecules used by the nervous systemt to transmit messages between neurons
neural transmission
- signals are received by the dendrites and sent to the soma
- the soma send neurotransmitters down the axon and to the terminals in vesicles
- enzymes break the vesicles at the terminals and send the neurotransmitters across the synapse to the receptors
- any leftover neurotransmitters go through the process of reuptake
synapses
the space that occurs between 2 neurons or a neuron and another cell
neurons
the information processing units of the brain responsible for receiving and processing information
dendrites
to receive information from other neurons, called pre-synaptic neurons, or from the environment
soma
sends information down thee axon that has been received from the dendrites
axon
long fibre extending from the soma
where electrical impulses from the neuron travel away to be received by other neurons
axon terminals
located at the end of the neuron responsible for sending signals to the other neurons
myelin sheath
rich in fatty lipids and proteins that covers and protects the nerves
aids in rapid and efficient transmission of impulses
functions of sensory neurons
activated by sensory input from the environment and send that information to the CNS
function of motor neurons
transmit impulses from the spinal cord to skeletal and smooth muscles (such as those in your stomach), and so directly control all of our muscle movements
function of interneurons
carry sensory information and regulate motor activity
direction of transmission in a neuron
A message travels from the dendrites through the cell body and to the end of the axon
why are neural transmissions and electrochemical signal?
Neural transmissions are considered electrochemical signals because they involve both electrical impulses traveling along the neuron’s axon (the “electro” part) and the release of chemical neurotransmitters across the synapse to communicate with other neurons
