Neurons: Structure and Function Flashcards
What part of the neuron receives information from other cells?
Dendrites
What part of the neuron carries output information to the presynaptic terminal?
Axon
What part of the neuron transmits information to other cells and releases neurotransmitters?
Presynaptic Terminal
What part of the neuron produces the neurotransmitter?
Soma
What is the cell body of the neuron?
Soma
Steps of action potential:
Action potential starts on Axon Hillcock
It propagates and travels down the axon
Pauses and regenerates action potential at each Node of Ranvier
What are two types of neurons?
Bipolar
Multipolar
Parts of a bipolar neuron?
Dendritic root
Axon
What is a subclass of bipolar neurons?
Pseudounipolar
What are the types of Pseudounipolar neurons?
Peripheral axon
Central Axon
Parts of a multipolar neuron?
Multiple dendrites
Single axon
During depolarization, is the membrane potential more or less negative?
Less (Excitatory)
During hyperpolarization, is the membrane potential more or less negative?
More (Inhibitory)
What is when the change in resting membrane potential results in transmission of information?
Depolarization (Excitatory)
What is when lack of or difficulty transmitting information through membrane?
Hyperpolarization (Inhibitory)
What is the distance spread of local potentials?
Short distances
What will develop if enough depolarization (threshold reached) occurs at the membrane?
Action potential develops
Where is information produced for local potentials?
- Modality-gated channel of sensory neuron receptor (receptor potentials)
- Ligand-gaged channel at postsynaptic membrane (synaptic potentials)
What are two ways local potentials increase in strength to develop or inhibit action potentials?
- Temporal
- Spatial
What is temporal summation?
Combined effect of local potentials occurring rapidly
What is spatial summation?
Combined effect of several small local potentials occurring at the same time
Types of neurons
Afferent - Periphery to CNS (sensory)
Efferent - CNS to periphery (motor)
Interneuron - connects spinal + motor neurons
What is a convergence of neurons? Example
Multiple inputs from several neurons on a single axon
Ex) Hearing, Vision, Touch converge in Sensory Association Area in Cortex
What is a divergence of neurons? Example
Single neuron branches and synapses on multiple neurons
Ex) Pinprick stimulates sensory neuron for motor response, conscious pain, and unconscious pain
What are the functions of glial cells?
Provide structure
Transmit info
Neural development
Repair brain damage
Types of Macroglia cells
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann Cells
What are astrocytes?
Provide structure, regulates neuronal signaling, blood brain barrier, neural development, recovery from injury
What are oligodendrocytes?
They produce myelin sheath in CNS
What are Schwann Cells?
They produce myelin sheath in PNS
Demyelination of Oligodendrocytes cause?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in CNS
Demyelination of Schwann Cells cause?
Guillain-Barre in PNS
