the neuron Flashcards
soma
cell body, determines whether the neuron will be activated
dendrite
shirt, thin, widely branching fibre that detects and receives neural information
axon
transmits messages from soma to other cells in the body
myelin sheath
encases axon, white fatty substance that helps speed up transmissions
axon terminal
at end of the each axon branch
terminal button/synaptic knob
has small knob like swelling at tip, synaptic knob is a small structure like sac that store neurotransmitters
neurotransmitters
assist in transmission of neural information from one neuron to another
synapse
gap between neurons
lock and key
receptors are “locks” and can only be opened with one particular “key” or neurotransmitter. post synaptic neuron is either activated or inhibited
neurotransmitter: glutamate
- excites most neurons in brain and NS
- important in learning and memory
neurotransmitter: GABA
- an inhibitory effect on the brain
- important for regulating anxiety
neuromodulator
- subclass of neurotransmitters
- alter strength of neural transmissions, by decreasing or increasing responsiveness of neurons to neurotransmitters signals
neuromodulator: dopamine
- both excitatory and inhibitory effects -
- involved in movement, pleasure, attention, mood, cognition and motivation
- reward pathway, enhance repetition of behaviour
neuromodulator: serotonin
- inhibitory, involved in modulating mood, perception, reward, anger, aggression, appetite, memory, sexuality and attention
synaptogenesis
new neural connections are formed
