Chapter 11 Flashcards
(40 cards)
Bipolar (neuron)
a type of neuron which has two extensions. Bipolar cells are specialized sensory neurons for the transmission of special senses. They are part of the sensory pathways for smell, sight, taste, hearing and vestibular functions. Found in the retina, inner ear and olfactory
Multipolar (neuron)
a type of neuron that possesses a single (usually long) axon and many dendrites. Found in the brain and spinal cord
Unipolar (Neuron)
a type of neuron in which only one protoplasmic process (neurite) extends from the cell body.
Compare and contrast graded potentials and action potentials
GRADED POTENTIALS
Temporary, localized change in resting potential. Caused by stimulus.
LOCATION: dendrites/soma DISTANCE: short AMPLITUDE: various/graded POTENTIAL: decays STIMULUS: chemical (NT) SUMMATION: temporal/spatial DEGREE OF CHANGE: small
compare and contrast graded potentials and action potentials
ACTION POTENTIALS
is an electrical impulse, it’s produced by graded potential, propagates along surface of axon to synapse
LOCATION: hillock/axon DISTANCE: long AMPLITUDE: always the same POTENTIAL: no decay STIMULUS: voltage (depolarization) SUMMATION: no (all or none) VOLTAGE CHANGE: +>- DEGREE OF CHANGE: Large
Absolute refractory period
incapable of generating another action potential
Relative Refractory Period
Requires greater than normal amount of stimulation to generate another action potential
Define Neuron
is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.
Soma
Cell body, bulbous end of a neuron, containing the nucleus.
Dendrites
branched projections of a neuron that act to propagate the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body.
Axon
also known as a nerve fibre, is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell or neuron, that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neurons cell body. the function of the axon is to transmit info to different neurons, muscles and glands.
Define resting membrane potential
the resting membrane potential of a neuron is about -70mV (mV=milivolt). This means that the inside of the neuron is 70 mV less than the outside. At rest, there are relatively more sodium ions outside the neuron and more potassium ions inside that neuron.
Define synapse
a structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell
Electiral synapse
neurons that are electrically coupled via protein channels (gap junctions) and allow for the direct transfer of ions. only in brain, eyes and cardiac.
Chemical synapses
specialized for the release and reception of chemical neurotransmitters. make up the bulk of synapses.
Differentiate between a nerve and a tract
Nerve: an enclosed, cable-like bundle of axons in the PNS. a nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons to peripheral organs.
Tracts:Connects one part of the nervous system with another and usually consists of bundles of elongated, myelin-insulated neurons, known collectively as white matter.
Differentiate between a nucleus and a ganglion
nucleus: collection of nerve bodies, found in the CNS
Ganglion: is a nerve cell cluster located in the PNS
Explain how action potentials are generated
as an action potential travels down the axon, there is a change in polarity across the membrane. The Na+ and K+ gated ion channels open and close as the membrane reaches the threshold potential, in response to a signal from another neuron.
the importance of myelin sheath
the gaps formed between myelin sheath cells long the axons are called Nodes of Ranvier. Since fat serves as a good insulator, the myelin sheaths speed the rate of transmission of an electrical impulse along the axon.
How are myelin sheaths formed?
the sheath is formed by the cell membranes of glial cells (Schwann cells in the PNS and Oligodendroglia in the CNS)
Basic functions of the nervous system
- Sensory neurons receive info from sensory receptors
- interneurons transfer and interpret impulses (integration)
- motor neurons send appropriate impulses/ instructions to the muscles and glands
explain the structural and functional divisions of the nervous system
CNS-brain and spinal cord (12 cranial nerves) (31 spinal nerves)
PNS- Outer regions of body
sympathetic
fight or flight
parasympathetic
rest and digest