Neurons And Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
What are the three types of neurons?
Sensory
Relay
Motor
Sensory neuron
Carries messages from peripheral nervous system to CNS
Long dendrites
Short axons
Relay neuron
Connect sensory and motor neurons
Short dendrites
Short axons
Motor neuron
Connects CNS to effectors (muscles and glands)
Short dendrites
Long axons
What is synaptic transmission?
The process of sending information from one neuron to another
What is the gap between two neurons called?
The synapse
What type of signal does a neuron send?
Electrical
What are released from vesicles when an electrical signal reaches the end of a neuron?
Neurotransmitters
What do neurotransmitters do?
They are chemicals which carry the signal across the synapse
What happens at the end of synaptic transmission?
The receptor of the next neuron takes up the neurotransmitter and converts it back to an electrical signal, which passes along the axon of that neuron
What are the two types of effects that neurotransmitters can have?
Excitatory
Inhibitory
Excitatory neurotransmitters…
Increase the likelihood of the neuron firing
Inhibitory neurotransmitters…
Decrease the likelihood of the neuron firing
