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Behavioural Neuroscience > Part 2 (Chapter 2): Structure and Function of Cells of the Nervous System > Flashcards

Part 2 (Chapter 2): Structure and Function of Cells of the Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Sensory neuron

A

A neuron that detects changes in the external or internal environment and sends information about these changes to the central nervous system.

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2
Q

Motor neuron

A

A neuron located within the CNS that controls the contraction of a muscle or the secretion of a gland.

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3
Q

Interneuron

A

A neuron located entirely within the CNS.

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4
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord.

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5
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord, including the nerves attached to the brain and spinal cord.

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6
Q

Soma

A

The cell body of a neuron, which contains the nucleus.

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7
Q

Dendrite

A

A branched, tree-like structure attached to the soma of a neuron; receives info from the terminal buttons of other neurons.

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8
Q

Synapse

A

A junction between the terminal button of an axon and the membrane of another neuron.

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9
Q

Axon

A

The long, thin, cylindrical structure that conveys info from the soma of a neuron to its terminal buttons.

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10
Q

Multipolar neuron

A

A neuron with one axon and many dendrites attached to its soma.

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11
Q

Bipolar neuron

A

A neuron with one axon and one dendrite attached to its soma.

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12
Q

Unipolar neuron

A

A neuron with one axon attached to its soma; the axon divides, with one branch receiving sensory info and the other sending info into the CNS.

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13
Q

Terminal button

A

The bud at the end of a branch of an axon; forms synapses with another neuron; sends info to that neuron.

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14
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

A chemical that is released by a terminal button; has an excitatory or inhibitory effect on another neuron.

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15
Q

Membrane

A

A structure consisting principally of lipid molecules that defines the outer boundaries of a cell and also constitutes many of the cell organelles.

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16
Q

Cytoplasm

A

The viscous, semiliquid substance contained in the interior of a cell.

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17
Q

Mitochondria

A

An organelle that is responsible for extracting energy from nutrients.

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18
Q

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A

A molecule of prime importance to cellular energy metabolism; its breakdown liberates energy.

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19
Q

Nucleus

A

A structure in the central region of a cell, containing chromosomes.

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20
Q

Chromosome

A

A strange of DNA, with associated proteins, found in the nucleus; carries genetic info.

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21
Q

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

A long, complex macromolecule consisting of two interconnected helical strands; along with associated proteins, strands of DNA constitute the chromosomes.

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22
Q

Gene

A

The functional unit of the chromosome, which directs synthesis of one or more proteins.

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23
Q

Cytoskeleton

A

Support structure formed of microtubules and other protein fibres that are linked to each other and form a cohesive mass that gives a cell its shape.

24
Q

Enzyme

A

A molecule that controls a chemical reaction, combining two substances or breaking a substance into two parts.

25
Q

Axoplasmic transport

A

An active process by which substances are propelled along microtubules the run the length of the axon.

26
Q

Microtubule

A

A long strand of bundles of protein filaments arranged around a hollow core; part of the cytoskeleton and involved in transporting substances form place to place within a cell.

27
Q

Glia

A

The supporting cells of the CNS.

28
Q

Astrocyte

A

A glial cell that provides support for neurons of the CNS, provides nutrients and there substances, and regulates the chemical composition of the extracellular fluid.

29
Q

Phagocytosis

A

The process by which cells engulf and digest other cells or debris caused by cellular degeneration.

30
Q

Oligodendrocyte

A

A type of glial cell in the CNS that forms myelin sheaths.

31
Q

Myelin sheath

A

A sheet that surrounds axons and insulates them, preventing messages from spreading between adjacent axons.

32
Q

Node of Ranvier

A

A naked portion of a myelinated axon, between adjacent oligodendroglia or Schwann cells.

33
Q

Microglia

A

The smallest of glial cells; they act as phagocytes and protect the brain from invading microorganisms.

34
Q

Schwann cell

A

A cell in the PNS that is wrapped around a myelinated axon, providing one segment of its myelin sheath.

35
Q

Blood-brain barrier

A

A semipermeable barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells in the walls of the brain’s capillaries.

36
Q

Area postrema

A

A region of the medulla where the blood-brain barrier is weak; poisons can be directed there and can initiate vomiting.

37
Q

Electrode

A

A conductive medium that can be used to apply electrical stimulation or to record electrical potentials.

38
Q

Microelectrode

A

A very fine electrode, genreally used to record activity of individual neurons.

39
Q

Membrane potential

A

The electrical charge across a cell membrane; the difference in electrical potential inside and outside the cell.

40
Q

Oscilloscope

A

A laboratory instrument that is capable of displaying a graph of voltage as a function of time on the face of a cathode ray tube.

41
Q

Resting potential

A

The membrane potential of a neuron when it is not being altered by excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials; approximately -70 mV in the giant squid axon.

42
Q

Depolarisation

A

Reduction (towards zero) of the membrane potential of a cell from its normal resting potential.

43
Q

Hyperpolarisation

A

An increase in the membrane potential of a call, relative to the normal resting potential.

44
Q

Action potential

A

The brief electrical impulse that provies the basis for conduction of info along the axon.

45
Q

Threshold of excitation

A

The value of the membrane potential that must be reached to produce an action potential.

46
Q

Diffusion

A

Movement of molecules from regions of high concentration to regions of low concentration.

47
Q

Electrolyte

A

An aqueous solution of a material that ionizes - namely, a soluble acid, base or salt.

48
Q

Ion

A

A charged molecule. Cations are positively charged, and anions are negatively charged.

49
Q

Electrostatic pressure

A

The attractive force between atomic particles charged with opposite signs or the repulsive force between atomic particles charged with the same sign.

50
Q

Intracellular fluid

A

The fluid contained within cells.

51
Q

Extracellular fluid

A

Body fluids located outside of cells.

52
Q

Sodium-potassium transporter

A

A protein found in the membrane of all cells that extrudes sodium ions from and transports potassium ions into the cell.

53
Q

Ion channel

A

A specialised protein molecule that permits specific ions to enter or leave cells.

54
Q

Voltage-dependent ion channel

A

An ion channel that opens or closes according to the value of the membrane potential.

55
Q

All-or-none law

A

The principle that once an action potential is triggered in an axon, it is propagated, without decrement, to the end of the fiber.

56
Q

Rate law

A

The principle that variations in the intensity of a stimulus or other info being transmitted in an axon are represented by variations in the rate at which the axon fires.

57
Q

Saltatory conduction

A

Conduction of action potentials by myelinated axons. The action potential appears to jump from one node of Ranview to the next.

Behavioural Neuroscience (12 decks)

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