Neurons and Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Neurons
Nerve cells, responsible for communication within the body.
Dendrites
A component of a nerve cell that receives information from other nerve cells and transports this information to the cell body.
Soma
Largest part of a neuron; it controls the metabolism and maintenance of the neuron.
Axon
The part of the neuron along which the electrochemical nerve impulse is transmitted.
Axon Terminals
Located at the end of the axon, it transmits messages to the next neuron by secreting neurotransmitters.
Myelin
A white, fatty, waxy substance that coats some axons and insulates them, protecting them from electrical interference from other neurons; this increases the efficiency of transmission of nerve impulses.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that help communication across nerve synapses.
Synapse
The connection between two neurons.
Synaptic Transmission
The process of neurons sending information to each other va neurotransmitters.
Presynaptic Neuron
A neuron that transmits information to another neuron.
Postsynaptic Neuron
A neuron that receives information from another neuron.
Excitatory Synapses
Cause the target cell to become excited and more likely to fire and cause an action potential.
Inhibitory Synapse
Causes the target cell to become inhibited and less likely to fire and cause an action potential.
Action Potential
A momentary change in the electrical potential of a cell, which allows a nerve cell to transmit a signal or impulse towards another nerve cell.
Glutamate
An excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain involved in learning.
