Neural Communication

Question 1

Glial cells

Answer 1

Provide scaffolding on which the nervous system is built, helping neurons line up closely with each other to allow neuronal communication, provide insulation to neurons, transport nutrients and waste products, and mediate immune responses.

Question 2

Soma

Answer 2

Cell body

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

Major extensions from the stoma—signals transmitted electronically.

Question 4

Terminal buttons

Answer 4

At the end; contain synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters.

Question 5

Neurotransmitters

Answer 5

Chemical messengers of the nervous system.

Question 6

Myelin sheath

Answer 6

A fat substance formed by glial cells, which coats the axon and acts as an insulator, increasing the speed at which the signal travel.

Question 7

Dendrites

Answer 7

Branching extending from the soma—serves as input sites where signals are received from other neurons.

Question 8

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 8

Gaps between in the myelin sheath.

Question 9

Synaptic cleft

Answer 9

A very small space between 2 neurons and is an important site where communication between neurons occurs.

Question 10

Receptors

Answer 10

Proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach, vary in surface, with different shapes “matching” different neurotransmitters.

Question 11

Semipermeable membrane

Answer 11

Cell membrane that allows smaller molecules without electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charge molecules.

Question 12

Synapse

Answer 12

Small gap between 2 neurons where communication occurs.