The Dendrites - Human Physiology

Flashcards covering important vocabulary and concepts related to dendrites and neuronal signaling in human physiology.

Neuron

A nervous cell that transmits signals in the body.

Dendrites

The part of a neuron that receives signals.

Chemical Synapses

Junctions where neurons communicate through neurotransmitters.

Pre-synaptic cell

The neuron that sends a signal at a chemical synapse.

Post-synaptic cell

The neuron that receives a signal at a chemical synapse.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channel

Channels that open in response to changes in membrane potential, allowing calcium ions to enter.

ACh

Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of signals.

Excitatory synapse

A synapse that causes depolarization of the post-synaptic neuron.

Inhibitory synapse

A synapse that causes hyperpolarization of the post-synaptic neuron.

2nd messenger system

Pathways that can alter the state of cells and influence long-term cellular functions.

Axon hillock

The part of the neuron where action potentials are initiated.

Temporal summation

The process by which successive action potentials affect the membrane potential at the axon hillock.

Spatial summation

The process by which multiple presynaptic cells influence the postsynaptic neuron's membrane potential.

Spike initiating zone

The region at the axon hillock where action potentials begin.

Vm

Membrane potential, the electrical potential difference across a neuron's membrane.

Chemical Synapses

Junctions where neurons communicate through neurotransmitters, allowing for signal transmission.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channel

Channels that open in response to changes in membrane potential, allowing calcium ions to enter and trigger neurotransmitter release.

2nd messenger system

Pathways, such as cAMP or calcium signaling, that can alter cell behavior and long-term cellular functions following neurotransmitter binding.

Excitatory synapse

A synapse that causes depolarization of the post-synaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood of an action potential.

Inhibitory synapse

A synapse that causes hyperpolarization of the post-synaptic neuron, decreasing the likelihood of an action potential.

Temporal summation

The process by which successive action potentials cause cumulative effects on the membrane potential at the axon hillock, potentially leading to an action potential.

Spatial summation

The process by which multiple presynaptic neurons simultaneously affect the postsynaptic neuron's membrane potential, influencing the potential for an action potential.

Spike initiating zone

The area at the axon hillock where action potentials are generated due to the summation of excitatory and inhibitory inputs