Neurons + Glia

Question 1

neurons

Answer 1

like other cells but with very specific properties

Question 2

glia

Answer 2

non-neural cells playing a supportive function

Question 3

different types of glia

Answer 3

Astrocytes, Microglia, Oligodendrocytes

Question 4

how do neurons work

Answer 4

1. collects input
2. processes the information and decides in some way what to do with it
3. produces output or doesn’t

Question 5

presynaptic

Answer 5

the neuron that is sending the information to another neuron

Question 6

postsynaptic

Answer 6

-the neuron that is receiving the information from a neuron

• postsynaptic will become presynaptic once is passes on the information it has just received

Question 7

afferent

Answer 7

accepting/input/coming in

Question 8

efferent

Answer 8

exiting/output/going out

Question 9

soma (afferent)

Answer 9

the cell body containing the metabolic machinery that maintains the neuron

Question 10

axon (efferent)

Answer 10

communicates output of the neuron –> starts in the axon hillock travels through the neuron, and ends at the presynaptic terminal button where it releases neurotransmitters

Question 11

dendrites (afferent)

Answer 11

receives input/information from neurons at synapses (postsynaptic); treelike look, spiny endings

Question 12

membrane

Answer 12

encloses the cytoplasm in the neuron; it is responsible for keeping certain ions outside of the cell and letting others in

Question 13

bilayer

Answer 13

this forms the framework of the membrane, permeable to potassium

Question 14

myelin

Answer 14

helps to speed along the electrical circuit; insulates the axon

Question 15

astrocytes

Answer 15

the blood-brain barrier (separates the
circulating blood from the brain extracellular fluid in the CNS), maintenance of extracellular ion
balance, and repair scarring process of the brain and spinal cord following traumatic injuries
- Potential differences across membrane

Question 16

extracellular

Answer 16

outside the cell, has more ion (Na+, Cl-)

Question 17

intracellular

Answer 17

inside the cell, contains proteins and amino acids, has a concentration gradient (K+)

Question 18

active

Answer 18

action potential (regenerated at the nodes of ranvier)

Question 19

action potential

Answer 19

• Cell starts at resting potential (-70 mV)
• Then cell depolarizes with and influx of NA+ until it
  reaches threshold
• Then repolarization occurs with pump out of K+ (instead
  of just leaking out)
• Then hyperpolarization occurs because it overshoots the
  resting potential (takes more firing to excite the cell;
  needs more NA+)
  -Then back to resting potential

Question 20

depolarization

Answer 20

cell becoming more positive (Na+ entering the cell)

Question 21

threshold of excitation

Answer 21

when NA+ starts to enter the cell theres a certain point where it reaches a certain threshold