Nervous System Quiz 12/21

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