Chapter 3 Flashcards
(94 cards)
Golgi
thought the nervous system was composed of interconnected fibers
Ramon y Cajal
used the brain embryos of chicks and found that the nervous system is made up of discrete cells that become more complex with age
Cell body (soma):
core region of a cell containing the nucleus and other organelles for making proteins
Dendrites
branching extension that collect information from other cells
Axon
“root” or single fiber that carries messages to other neurons
Neurons
are plastic; most CNS neurons are never replaced throughout life
Dendritic spines
small protrusions from on a dendrite; point of contact with the axons of other cells
Axon hillock
where the axon begins; juncture of soma and axon where the action potential begins
Axon collaterals
branch of an axon
Teleodendria
small branches that may emerge from the lower tip of an axon
Terminal button
located at the end of teleodendrion; sits close to the dendritic spine; creates an “almost connection called a synapse
Synapse
information-transfer site between neurons
Sensory Neuron
brings information into the brain from sensory receptors; Types: bipolar, somatosensory
Interneurons (association cells)
associate sensory and motor activity in the CNS; branch extensively; Types: stellate, pyramidal, Purkinje
Motor Neurons
carry information out the brain and spinal cord to the body’s muscles; have long axons and cell bodies; located in the lower brainstem and spinal cord
Bipolar Neuron
Type of sensory neuron; found in the retina and contains one short dendrite and one short axon; transmit afferent sensory information from the retina’s light receptors to the neurons that carry information to the visual centers
Somatosensory Neuron
bring sensory information from the body into the spinal cord
Stellate Cell
type of interneuron; small with many dendrites extending around the cell body
Pyramidal Cell
type of interneuron; brings information from the cerebral cortex to the rest of the brain and spinal cord; has two dendrites and is pyramid shaped
Purkinje Cell
type of interneuron; fan shaped; carries information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain and spinal cord
Relationship between sensory, interneurons and motor neurons
Sensory (collect afferent)→interneurons→ motor neurons (efferent creates behavior)
Action Potential
neurons fire only if its excitatory inputs exceed its inhibitory inputs.
Glial Cells
support cells; help neurons relay information by binding them together and providing them nutrients, support and protection; can replace themselves
Ependymal Cells
type of glial cell; located on the walls of ventricles; produce and secrete CSF