Biopsychology: Neurons

Question 1

What Are Neurons?

Answer 1

• The basic building blocks of the nervous system.

- Neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical glands.

Question 2

What Are Sensory Neurons?

Answer 2

• These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS.

- They have long dendrites and short axons.

Question 3

What Are Relay Neurons?

Answer 3

• These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons.
• They have short dendrites and short axons.

Question 4

What Are Motor Neurons?

Answer 4

• Connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands.

- They have short dendrites and long axons.

Question 5

What Is The Cell Body?

Answer 5

• ‘Factory of the neuron.’

- Contains the nucleus and produces all of the necessary proteins that a neuron requires to function.

Question 6

What Is The Nucleus?

Answer 6

• Contains the genetic material within the neuron.

Question 7

What Are Dendrites?

Answer 7

• Branch-like features protrude (extend) from the cell body.

- Carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body.

Question 8

What Are Axons?

Answer 8

• Carries the electrical impulse from the cell body, down the length of the neuron.
• Covered in myelin sheath.

Question 9

What Are Myelin Sheath?

Answer 9

• Fatty layer which surrounds and protects the axon.

- Helps speed up the electrical transmission of the impulse.

Question 10

What Are Nodes Of Ranvier?

Answer 10

• Gaps between the myelin sheath.

- Purpose is to speed up the transmission if the impulse by forcing it to ‘jump’ across the gaps along the axon.

Question 11

What Are Terminal Buttons?

Answer 11

• Located at the end of the axon.

- Communicate with the next neuron that is on the other side of the synaptic cleft.