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26 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are neurons?
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Specialized cells in the nervous system that send and receive information.
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What are sensory neurons?
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Neurons that send information from sensory receptors to the brain.
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What are motor neurons?
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Neurons that send commands from the brain to the glands, muscles and organs to inhibit something.
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What are inter-neurons?
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Neurons that connect sensory neurons input signals with the motor neurons output signals.
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What is the soma?
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The cell body of the neuron that contains the nucleus.
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What are dendrites?
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'Branchlike' extensions of the soma that receives information from other neurons.
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What is an axon?
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Sends information in form of electrochemical impulses to other neurons. (Extension of the soma)
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What is myelin sheath?
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A protective coating of fatty cells around an axon.
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What are terminal buttons?
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'Knoblike' tips that closely approach but do not touch, the dendrites of other neurons.
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What is the synapse?
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The entire area composed of the terminal button of one neuron, the synaptic cleft and the dendrite of another neuron.
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What is the synaptic cleft?
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The space between the terminal buttons and the dendrites, which is less than a millionth of an inch wide.
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What are synaptic vesicles?
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Tiny round sacs contained in the terminal button that contains neurotransmitters, released at the synapse.
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What are neurotransmitters?
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Chemical messengers released by the synaptic vesicles that travel across the synaptic cleft to excite or inhibit neurons.
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What are glial cells?
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Non-neuron cells that supply the neurons with support, nutrients and insulation. They also help form the blood-brain barrier.
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What is the blood-brain barrier?
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A semipermeable membrane-like mechanism that prevents certain chemicals from entering the bloodstream to the brain.
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What is the resting potential?
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The stable, negative charge of an inactive neuron. (-70mV)
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What is the action potential?
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The brief shift in a neuron's electrical charge that travels down the axon. (+30mV)
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What is polarization?
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The neuron is at its resting state. (Resting potential)
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What is depolarization?
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The axon switches from negative to positive.
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What is hyper-polarization?
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A change in a cell's membrane potential that makes it more negative. It is the opposite of a depolarization. (Below -70mV)
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What is the refractory period?
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The period immediately following the transmission of an impulse in nerve or muscle, in which a neuron or muscle cell regains its ability to transmit another impulse.
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What are endorphins?
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A family of neurotransmitters that play an important role in the experience of pleasure and the control of pain.
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What is acetylcholine (ACh)?
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A neurotransmitter involved in muscle contractions and memory formation.
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What is domapine (DA)?
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A neurotransmitter that promotes and facilitates movement, as well as influencing thought + emotion.
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What is norepinephrine (NE)?
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A neurotransmitter that plays a role involved in stress, wakefulness and mood.
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What is serotonin?
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A neurotransmitter that is involved in a number of psychological processes, especially in regulating emotional states, aggression, appetite and sleep onset.
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