Structure and function of neurons

Question 1

What is a dendrite

Answer 1

Carries impulses from neighbouring neurones towards the cell body

Question 2

Axon

Answer 2

Carries impulses from the cell body down the neuron

Question 3

Cell body

Answer 3

Contains a nucleus and all the genetic material.

Question 4

Myelin sheath

Answer 4

Fatty layer which protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmittion of impulse.

Question 5

Synaptic terminals

Answer 5

Communicate with the next neurone across a synapse

Question 6

Nodes of ranvier

Answer 6

Speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to jump across the gap

Question 7

Sensory neuron

Answer 7

Long dendrites, short axons
Carries messages from the PNS to the CNS, Afferent (brings information from the PNS to the CNS)

Question 8

Relay neuron

Answer 8

Have short dendrites and short axons
Connects sensory and motor neurons

Question 9

Motor neuron

Answer 9

Have short dendrites and long axons

Carries messages from the CNS to PNS effectors
Efferent (from CNS to PNS)