Problem 2 Neurons and potentials Flashcards
Soma/Cell body
contains the nucleus and much of the machinery for the processes of the cell
Dendrites
recipients of the messages from another neuron (its synapses) – input zone
Axon hillock
junction between axon and cell body
Where action potentials emerge
Axon
carries information (message = action potential) from cell bodies to terminal buttons (one-way street) – conduction zone
Myelin sheath
fatty insulation around many axons that speed up the transmission of electrical impulses thus convey information more rapidly
Oligodendrocytes
(glia cells) with extensions (rich in myelin) that wrap around the axon (CNS)
Schwann cells
which can also guide axonal regeneration (helps to build the myelin covering) is a glia cell (PNS swims in your body)
Nodes of Ranvier
the gaps between sections of myelin
Where ion channels are located (APs)
Terminal Buttons
endings of the axon that release neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap (pre-synapse) – output zone
Multipolar neuron/Motor neuron
Most common in CNS
From the neuron to the action (movement)
Bipolar neuron/inter neuron
o PNS (transmit sensory information to CNS) o Analyses the information
Unipolar neuron/Sensory neuron
o PNS (transmit sensory information to CNS)
o Only one axon leaves the cell body and divides into two or more branches
o Pressure heat senor
o From the body to the brain
Multipolar Interneuron
Integrate neural activity within a single brain structure
Nucleus
contains DNA
Cytoplasm
internal (liquid) substance containing organelles
Endoplasmic reticulum
serves as storage reservoir and channel for transporting chemicals through cytoplasm
ribosomes
translate DNA to real material
Mitochondria
extract energy from nutrients o Aerobic (oxygen-consuming) energy release
Golgi-complex
connected system of membranes that packages molecules in vesicles for delivery to buttons
Microtubules
responsible for rapid transport of material throughout neurons
Membrane structure
Composed of a lipid bilayer (two layers of fat molecules)
Embedded in the lipid bilayer are molecule/proteins
o Channel proteins: certain molecules can pass through them
o Signal proteins: transfer a signal to the inside of the neuron when a certain molecule binds to them on the outside of the membrane
- Hydrophobic is the inside
- Hydrophilic is the outside
Diffusion
passive movement of molecules along a concentration gradient
Osmosis
diffusion through a semipermeable membrane from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration
Selective permeability
membrane that is selective in terms of which molecules can pass and which can’t