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neuron
neural tissue cell that is primarily responsible for conducting electrical signals away from the cell body. It responds to stimuli.
glial cells
considered to be supporting cells, and many functions are directed at helping neurons complete their function for communication
afferent
conducts impulse toward the CNS
efferent
conducts impulse away from the CNS
somatic
motor neuron innervating skeletal muscles
autonomic
involuntary or unconscious; relating to the autonomic nervous system.
schwann cell
glial cell type in the PNS that provides the myelin insulation for axons in nerves
SNARE complex
proteins that function to anchor synpatic vesicles in axon terminals to the presynaptic plasma membrane
myelin sheath
lipid-rich layer of insulation that surrounds an axon, formed by oligodendrocytes in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS; facilitates the transmission of electrical signals
resting membrane potential
the difference in voltage measured across a cell membrane under steady-state conditions, typically -70 mV
depolarization
change in a cell membrane potential from rest toward zero; inside of the membrane becomes less negative compared to outside of the membrane
repolarization
return of the membrane potential to its normally negative voltage at the end of the action potential after depolarization
hyperpolarization
increase in negativity of inside of cell membrane with respect to the resting membrane potential
dendrite
one of many branch like processes that extends from the neuron cell body and functions as a contact for incoming signals (synapses) from other neurons or sensory cells
voltage regulated channel
ion channel that opens because of a change in the charge distributed across the membrane where it is located
action potential
change in voltage of a cell membrane in response to a stimulus that results in transmission of an electrical signal; unique to neurons and muscle fibers
absolute refractory period
time during an action period when another action potential cannot be generated because the voltage-gated Na+ channel is inactivated
relative refractory period
time during the refractory period when a new action potential can only be initiated by a stronger stimulus than the current action potential because voltage-gated K+ channels are not closed
neurotransmitter
chemical signal that is released from the synaptic end bulb of a neuron to cause a change in the target cell
synapse
narrow junction across which a chemical signal passes from neuron to the next, initiating a new electrical signal in the target cell
ligand regulated gate
another name for an ionotropic receptor for which a neurotransmitter is the ligand
graded potential
change in the membrane potential that varies in size, depending on the size of the stimulus that elicits it
excitatory postsynaptic potential
graded potential in the postsynaptic membrane that is the result of depolarization and makes an action potential more likely to occur
inhibitory postsynaptic potential
graded potential in the postsynaptic membrane that is the result of hyperpolarization and makes an action potential less likely to occur
agonist
molecule that specifically binds to and activates a receptor protein
antagonist
molecule that binds and reduces the activity of receptor proteins
G-protein
association of three membrane associated protein subunits, regulated by guanosine
interneuron
neuron located in the CNS; also called association neuron