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74 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Neurons
One of the two types of cells in the nervous system |
Receive and transmit information via chemical and electrical signaling to other cells
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Glial Cells
One of the two types of cells in the nervous system |
Many functions, support neuronal structure, excitability, and cellular environment
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Plasma membrane
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two layers of fat molecules; allows small uncharged chemicals to flow in and out
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Nucleus
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contains chromosomes/DNA
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Mitochondrion
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metabolic activities, provides cell with energy.
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Ribosomes
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site for protein synthesis
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Endoplasmic Reticulum
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made of thin tubes transporting newly synthesized proteins
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Characteristics of membrane of a neuron
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Phospholipid bilayer:2 layers of lipid (fat) molecules that are free to float around one another
Semipermeable: most chemicals cannot cross cell membrane Water, oxygen, & carbon dioxide move freely |
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A group of neurons
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Nucleus
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Soma
(Neuron anatomy) |
cell body, contains the nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria, etc..
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Axon
(Neuron anatomy) |
Thin fiber of a constant diameter, conveys nerve impulses from one end of the neuron to the other.
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Axon terminal
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makes connections with other neurons and releases chemicals called neurotransmitters
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Myelin Sheath
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an electrically insulating layer comprised of lipids and proteins that surrounds the axon. Known as “white” matter for its white color appearance. Increases the speed at which electrical impulses propagate along the axon.
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Nodes of Ranvier
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gaps between the myelin sheath. They are not insulated and thus capable of generating an electrical activity.
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Dendrites
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Branching fibers from the soma, connect with other neurons.
many per cell, short and branched, diameter decreases away from soma, receives multiple synapses (where 2 neurons meet). |
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Dendritic spines
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short outgrowths that increase the surface area of the dendrite available for synapses & receive incoming information.
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Synapse
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Where two cells meet
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Afferent neuron
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brings information INTO a structure
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Efferent neuron
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carries information AWAY from a structure
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Somatosensory (touch) neuron
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soma located just outside of the spinal cord (in a dorsal root ganglion
Most of its length is an axon. It has specialized endings in the skin, and its terminals are in the spinal cord. |
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Motor neuron
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cell body (soma) located in the spinal cord
The axon is part of a nerve in your body. The terminals are in your muscles. |
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Astrocytes
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wrap around the presynaptic terminals of a group of related axons
Takes up chemicals released by axons, then releases them back, providing synchronized activity Remove waste material from dead neurons Controls the amount of blood flow to each brain area -Dilates blood vessels in active regions of brain, to bring in more nutrients |
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Oligodendrocytes
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main function is the insulation of axons via. Myelin sheath in the central nervous system (CNS refers to the brain & spinal cord).
-provide a supporting role for neurons -damage results in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis |
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Schwann Cells
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like oligiodendrocytes but located in peripheral nervous system (PNS refers to outside the CNS, brain & spinal cord)
main function is the insulation of axons via. myelin sheath |
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Microglia
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main function is for CNS repair.
Macrophages of the CNS: remove waste material, viruses, fungi, microorganisms *main from of active immune defense in the CNS. |
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Radial Glia
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- guide cell & axon migration during development
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Blood Brain Barrier (BBB)
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separation of blood and cerebral spinal fluid
Endothelial cells with tight junctions surrounding capillaries Astrocytes surround endothelial cells Keeps most chemicals from entering the vertebrate brain Like a wall along the sides of the brain’s blood vessels The brain cannot replace damaged neurons, so BBB provides protection to risk irreparable damage |
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Active Transport
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protein-mediated process that expends energy to pump these chemicals from the blood to the brain
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Concentration gradient
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Ions flow from areas of high concentration to low concentration
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Electrical gradient
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Ions flow to areas of opposite charge
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Cell has polarity
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If becomes less negative:
depolarized More negative: hyperpolarized |
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Resting potential
(how many mv?) |
For most neurons, is -70mv
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Sodium-potassium pump
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a protein complex that transports 3 Na+ ions out of the cell while drawing in 2 K+ ions; this is an active process (requires energy to function).
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Action Potential
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a rapid depolarization and slight reversal of the usual potential (- 70 mV) caused by stimulation beyond the threshold
(how neurons send information to each other) |
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Threshold of excitation
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The critical level of depolarization that must be achieved to trigger an action potential
(reached at axon hillock) |
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Propagation
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The transmission of an action potential down an axon
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White matter composed of
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Myelinated axons
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Gray matter composed of
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Unmyelinated axons
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What does all-or-none mean?
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Either it fires at full amplitude or it doesn’t fire at all. (stimulus is encoded by the frequency of AP, rather than the amplitude).
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Postsynaptic potential
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an electrical potential that is initiated at the postsynaptic site.
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Temporal summation
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several impulses from one neuron over time
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Spatial summation
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impulses from several neurons at the same time
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Difference between synaptic potential and action potential
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SP: ligand-gated ion channels open, happens at a synapse, graded
AP:voltage-dependent ion channels open, happens down an axon, "all or none" |
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Rostral
Caudal Posterior Anterior Dorsal Ventral Proximal Distal |
Noseward, tailward, back, front, up, down, closer, further
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Sectional planes of tisue:
Horizontal Sagittal Coronal |
looking at top, on midline, transverse
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Meninges
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Layers of membrane that surround and protect the tissue of the brain and spinal cord
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Central NS
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consists of the brain and spinal cord
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Peripheral NS
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consists of all the nerves outside the central NS
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Forebrain
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thinking, perceiving, big part of emotion & memory, drive-related behaviors
cortex (folded stuff), structures deep to cortex, thalamus & hypothalamus |
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Midbrain
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sensory pathways, visual and auditory processing.
top of brainstem. |
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Hindbrain
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Contained in brainstem
Some motor control, reflexes (breathing, heart rate, etc). Bottom of brainstem and cerebellum. |
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Medulla
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responsible for vital reflexes; such as breathing, heart rate, vomiting, salivation, coughing, and sneezing via the cranial nerves.
Control via cranial nerves |
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Pons
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contains the reticular formation (increases arousal) and raphe system (modifies the brains’ readiness to respond to stimuli. Contains the cell bodies that contain the neurotransmitter called serotonin)
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Cerebellum
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Helps regulate motor learning, movement, balance, and coordination
important for sensory timing & shifting attention between auditory and visual stimuli. |
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Superior colliculus & inferior colliculus
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swellings on each side of the tectum; process visual and auditory information
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Thalamus
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Relay station/ filter for sensory info on its way to cortex.
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Hypothalamus
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Communicates with pituitary gland to alter hormone release.
Involved in feeding, drinking, temperature regulation, sexual behavior, fighting, arousal (activity level). |
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Pituitary Gland
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Endocrine gland (hormone producing)
In response to “messages” from the hypothalamus, it makes and releases hormones into bloodstream, so they can be carried to organs |
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Pineal Gland
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Makes and secretes melatonin: hormone secreted at night, inhibited by light. Important for the sleep/wake cycle.
Daily and seasonal rhythms |
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Nucleus Basalis
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Key part of the brain’s system for arousal, wakefulness, and attention
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Limbic system
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Emotion, memory, aggression, sexual behavior, eating, drinking, anxiety
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Hippocampus
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critical for storing certain types of memory
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Occipital Lobe
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Vision
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Parietal Lobe
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the primary target for touch sensations, and information from muscle-stretch receptors and joint receptors.
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Temporal Lobe
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Auditory cortex (hearing)*
Spoken language comprehension Visual association cortex* |
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Prefrontal cortex
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Planning
Working memory Socially appropriate behavior (association cortex) |
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Primary motor cortex
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Voluntary movement
Somatotopic organization |
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Wernicke’s area
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For the comprehension of written and spoken language.
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Broca’s area
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For speech production
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Dermatomes
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Segment of skin/muscle/bone associated w/ a spinal nerve
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Bell-Magendie Law
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entering dorsal roots (axons) carry sensory information to the brain & the exiting ventral roots carry motor information to the muscles and glands
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sympathetic nervous
System |
increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc. (“fight or flight” response).
mainly uses norepinephrine (NE) as a neurotransmitter at the postganglionic synapses. |
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Parasympathetic nervous system
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facilitates vegetative, nonemergency responses
decreases functions increased by the sympathetic nervous system dominant during our relaxed states |
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Enteric NS
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Controls gastrointestinal system.
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