neuron
nerve cell
dedrites
pick up messages frm other cells, convey info to cell body
axon
transmit electrical impulses away from cell body to other cells
soma
cell body, responsible for maintaining life of the cell
myelin
a fatty substance that helps insulate neurons and speeds the transmission of nerve impulses
myelin sheath
an insulating layer made up of protein and fatty substances that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells
nodes of ranvier
gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon
nervous tissue
bundles of neurons plus neuroglial cells
what creates muscle contractions
stimulation/signal generated by the nervous system
synaptic cleft
The space between two neurons across which the impulse is transmitted by a neurotransmitter
synapse
the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses
pre-synaptic
sending neuron
post-synaptic
receiving neuron
effector
an organ or cell that acts in response to stimulus
CNS
brain and spinal cord
PNS
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
how do neurons integrate information
dendrites establish connections between neurons
nerve impulses traveling between neurons
cell body and axon can receive inputs from many other neurons
neuroglial cells
Specialized cell of the nervous system that produces myelin, communicates between cells, and maintains the ionic environment
astrocytes
Structural support, Join parts. Regulate ion & nutrient balance, Forms CNS scar tissue after injury
microglial cells
defends, supports neurons, ingests bacteria and debris
ependymal cells
makes cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid
Fluid in the space between the meninges that acts as a shock absorber that protects the central nervous system (fluid in and around brain and spinal cord)
oligodendrocytes
makes myelin for axons of the CNS, wraps and insulates neurons
satellite cells
surround neuron cell bodies in PNS
Schwann cells
forms myelin sheaths in PNS, insulation
neurotransmitters
chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another, cross synaptic gaps betwen neurons