The structure and function of different neurons Flashcards
Sensory, relay, and motor neurons
What is a neuron?
Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
What is a sensory neuron?
These carry messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. They have long dendrites and short axons,
What is the function of sensory neurons?
They carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and the brain
What is a motor neuron?
These connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands;. They have short axons and long dendrites.
What is the function of a motor neuron?
Motor neurons form synapses with muscles and control their contractions.
What is a relay neuron?
These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.
Where is the nucleus of a neuron located?
In the soma or cell body
What are the branching extensions of the soma called?
The soma has branching extensions called the dendrites.
What is the function of the dendrites?
Dendrites act as input sites where signals are received from
other neurons.
How are electrical signals received from other neurons?
Electrical signals received from other neurons are transmitted electrically across the somatic and down the axon.
What is at the end of an axon?
The axon ends at multiple terminal buttons.
How does the action potential travel?
The action potential from an electrical impulse moves rapidly down the axon to the terminal buttons.
What happens at the terminal buttons?
At the terminal buttons, synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters into the synapse
What is a neurotransmitter?
A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries information from one neuron to another.
