Exam 3 -- Chapter 4 Flashcards
(28 cards)
Neurons
Cells of the nervous system that are specialized for the reception, conduction, and transmission of electrochemical signals.
Parts of a neuron
- Cell Body (soma)
- Dendrites
- Axon (Axon hillock, Myelin, Buttons, Synapse, Synaptic vesicles)
- Neuron Cell Membrane
Cell Body (soma)
- Nucleus (contains chromosomes (DNA)
- Cytoplasm
- Functions: Metabolism and Synthesis of proteins from genes
Cytoplasm
Clear fluid outside the nucleus
Metabolism
Energy production
Dendrites
- Processes emanating from the cell body, which communicate with other neurons
- Receives most synaptic contact from other neurons
Axon
- Process projecting from the cell body
- Carries the neural signal
- Made of: Axon hillock, myelin, buttons, synapse, and synaptic vesicles
Axon hillock
- Cone-shaped region at the junction between the axon and cell body
- (nearby) involved in decision to increase or decrease signaling
Myelin
- fatty insulation around many axons
- Nodes of Ranvier
- Speed up neural signals
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): degeneration of myelin
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps between sections of myelin
Buttons
- Knobby ending of axon branches
- Releases neurotransmitter into synaptic clefts (gaps)
Neurotransmitter
Molecules released from neurons that influence other cells
Synapse
- Junction between two neurons or a neuron and a muscle or a glad
- Chemical signals are released across the synaptic cleft (gap)
Synaptic vesicles
Membrane covered balls containing neurotransmitters
Neuron Cell Membrane
- Composed of lipid bilayer (inside and outside of neurons differ in chemical concentration)
- Do need to get some chemicals across this barrier
- Done by Channel Proteins and Signal Proteins
Lipid Molecule
- Polar head region: attracts water
- Neutral Tail: repels water
- This difference helps keep the lipids lined up (heads toward water, tails away from water)
Channel Proteins
Allow certain molecules to pass through the membrane
Signal Proteins
Transfer a signal to the inside of the cell when particular molecules bind to them on the outside
Classes of Neurons (By Structure)
- Multipolar
- Multipolar Interneuron
- Unipolar
- Bipolar
Multipolar
- Neuron with more than two processes emanating from the cell body
- Most human neurons are multipolar***
Multipolar interneuron
- Neurons with short axons or no axons
- Integrate neural activity within a signal structure
- Do not carry signals from one structure to another
Unipolar
Neuron with one process emanating from the cell body
Bipolar
Neurons with two processes emanating from the cell body
Classes of Neurons (By Function)
- Sensory Neurons
- Motor Neurons
- Interneurons