Basic Understanding Of Neurons And Synaptic Transmission

Front 1

What is the function of a motor neuron

Back 1

Carries messages from the CNS to effectors such as glands and muscles which help organs, glands and muscles function.

Front 2

What is the function of a relay neuron

Back 2

Transfers messages from sensory neurons to other interconnecting neurons or motor neurons.

Carries messages from one part of the CNS to another.

They connect motor and sensory neurons.

Front 3

What is the function of a sensory neuron

Back 3

Carries messages from the PNS to the brain and spinal chord.

They tell the rest of the brain about the external and internal environment by processing information taken from one of the five senses.

Front 4

What is another name for a motor neuron

Back 4

Efferent

Front 5

What is another name for a relay neuron

Back 5

Interconnecting

Front 6

What is another name for a sensory neuron

Back 6

Afferent

Front 7

What is the structure of a motor neuron

Back 7

Short dendrites and long axons

Front 8

What is the structure of a relay neuron

Back 8

Short dendrites and short/long axons

Front 9

What is the structure of a sensory neuron

Back 9

Long dendrites and short axons

Front 10

What are neurons

Back 10

Neurons receive info and transmit it to other cells

Front 11

What are the 3 different type of neurons

Back 11

Motor

Relay

Sensory

Front 12

Describe saltatory conduction

Back 12

In advanced animals, many neurons have a myelin sheath.

There are gaps in this sheath, known as nodes of Ranvier, where the neuronal cell membrane is exposed.

Action potentials can jump from gap to gap, known as saltatory conduction.

Front 13

Why is saltatory conducted beneficial

Back 13

It is much faster than standard conduction along the axon.

Faster transmission means faster info processing which has led to the development of complex human abilities.

Front 14

How does a neuron communicate within itself

Back 14

Electrical through conduction

Front 15

Describe the process of the communication within a neuron

Back 15

An electrical signal is sent down the length of the axon, called an 'action potential'.

Some axons are myelinated which allow for quicker transmission.

Neurons fire when their electrical charge reaches what is called the 'threshold of excitation'.

When this threshold is reached, they send an electrical charge or impulse down their axons.

Front 16

How does communication happen between neurons

Back 16

Chemical through neurotransmitters.

Front 17

Describe the process of the communication between neurons

Back 17

When the electrical impulse reaches the terminal buttons, they release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

These neurotransmitters connect with receptor sites located mostly on dendrites but also on the soma of nearby neurons. The neurotransmitters 'fit in' like keys into locks.

The neurotransmitters unlock tiny channels at the receiving sites and electrically charged atoms enter the receiving neuron.

These electrically charged atoms, through altering the electrical charge of the receiving neuron, either excites or inhibits its readiness to fire an electrical impulse down its axon.`

Front 18

What are dendrites

Back 18

Receives the nerve impulse/signal from adjacent neurons.

Front 19

What is an axon

Back 19

Where electrical signals pass along.

A long threadlike/extending fiber of a neuron that is capable of conducting a nerve impulse away from the cell body towards the neurons terminal button.

Front 20

What is the myelin sheath

Back 20

Insulates/protects the axon from external influences that might affect the transmission of the nerve impulse down the axon.

Front 21

What is the synaptic terminal

Back 21

The bulb at the end of an axon in which neurotransmitters or stored and released.

Front 22

Describe the cell body

Back 22

The central part of the neuron or other cell containing the nucleus and other structures which keep the cell alive.

Front 23

Describe the nucleus

Back 23

The egg shaped part of the cell which containing the chromosomes and other important structures that keep the cell alive.

Front 24

What are neurotransmitters

Back 24

Are chemicals that are released from a synaptic vesicle into the synapse by y neurons

Front 25

What is the synapse

Back 25

The gap between the end of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron.

Front 26

Briefly describe the process of synaptic transmission

Back 26

When a message from one neuron transfers to the adjacent neuron by crossing the synaptic gap.

Front 27

What are nodes of Ranvier

Back 27

The gaps between the myelin sheath