Week3: Nerve Cells/neurotransmitters/hormones

Question 0

Name the 3 types of neurons

Answer 0

Sensory neurons - transmit info from sensory cells ( receptors) to the brain either directly or by the spinal cord (nicknamed afferent neuron)

Interneurons- nerve cells that connect other neurons with one another (vast majority of them are in the brain and spinal cord

Motor neurons- transmits commands from interneurons to the glands and muscles of the body often going through the spinal cord (nicknamed efferent neurons)

Question 1

What is a neuron

Answer 1

A neuron is a cell in the nervous system specialised to receive, process, and transmit information to other cells.

The neuron consist of dendrites, soma, axon, and terminal buttons

It’s the building block of the central and peripheral nervous system

Question 2

Describe a dendrites

Answer 2

Branch like extensions receives inputs from other cells

Question 3

Describe a cell body

Answer 3

The cell body includes nucleus that contain the genetic material called the chromosomes. The nucleus is the brains of the operation and determines how that neuron will manipulate the input from the dendrites.

Question 4

Describe the axon

Answer 4

The axon is a long extension from the cell body (.: 1 metre) whose central function is to transmit info to other neurons. Axon often have two or more offshoots ( collateral branches).

Axons are covered with a tight coat of cells composed of lipids ( fats) that help transmission of information called Myelin Sheath

Question 5

Terminal buttons are?

Answer 5

Terminal buttons are located at the end of an axon and sends signals from the neuron to adjacent cells.

Connection between neuron occur at the Synapes. Two cells don’t touch and have a gap called Synapes Cleft

Question 6

What is resting potential

Answer 6

A neuron is not firing ‘resting’ .When a neuron is at ‘rest’ it’s membrane is polarised.

Inside the membrane has a negative electrical charge. The fluid on the outside has a positive charge. When it’s polarised the cell naturally lets some chemicals in and keeps others out.

Question 7

What chemicals exists inside and out of a membrane

Answer 7

Sodium (NA+), potassium (K+), chloride (CI -).

Outside the cell is a seawater fluid, sodium and chloride

Question 8

Types of neurotransmitters

Answer 8

• glutamate and GABA - gluts ( learning) gaba ( regulated anxiety)

• dopamine ( effects nervous system involving thought, feeling)
• serotonin (regulate mood,sleep,eating,arousal, pain)
• acetylcholine (learning and memory)
• endorphins (elevate mood and reduce pain)