Neuroscience and Behaviour Flashcards
What do neurons consist of?
- Dendrite - tree
- Cell body - soma
- Axon - myelin
Diagram of neuron
What are gilal cells?
Support cells
Cells that support the functionality of neurons by providing physical support, supplying nutrients and enhancing neuronal communication
Very important in brain function
Where are gilal cells found?
central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
What does synpase do?
electrical signal (the action potential) into a chemical signal in the form of neurotransmitter release, and then, upon binding of the transmitter to the postsynaptic receptor, switching the signal back again into an electrical form
What are the three major neuron types?
–sensory
–motor
–interneurons/relay
What are neurons?
Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks
What is cell body other name as?
Soma
What is cell body?
Largest component of the neuron
Coordinates the information-processing taska dn keeps the cell alive
Functions such as protein synthesis, energy production and metabolism take place here
Contains nucleus which has chromosomes contains DNA/genetic bllueprint
What is the cell body surrounded by?
Porous cell membrane that allows molecules to flow into and out of the cell
What are the two types of specialised extensions of the cell membraneto allow communication?
Axons and dendirtes
What are the dendrites?
Recieve information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body
Many dendrites that look like tree brances
What are axons?
Transmit information to other neurons, muscles or glands
Each neuron has a single axon that sometimes can be very long
What are axons covered by?
Myelin sheath
What are myelin sheath?
Insulating layer of fatty material made up of glial cells
Advantages of myelin seath
When axons insulated with myelin it can more efficiently transmit signals to other neurons, organs or muscles
What happens in demyelinating disease e,g multiple sclerosis
Myelin sheath deterioates causing a slowdown in the transmission of information from one neuron to another
Variety of problems such as loss of feeling in limbs, partial blindess and difficulties in corrdination
What is synapse?
Junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another
Who discovered the neurons?
Cajal
What are sensory neurons?
Receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord
How are sensory neurons specialised?
Specialised endingson their dendrites that recieve signals fro light, sound ,touch , taste and smell
e.g sensory neurons’ endings are sensitive to light
What do motor neurons carry?
Signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement
How are motor neurones specialised?
Long axons that can stretch to muscles at our extremeities
What are interneurons?
Connect sensory neurons, motor neurons or other interneurons
Carry information from sensory neurons into the nervous system , others carry info from nervous system o the motor neurons
Perform variety of information-rpocessing functions within the nervous system
Work together to perform simple tasks e.g identifying location of sensory signal, recognising a familiar face