Behavioral Neuroscience - Chapter 1

Understand the Nervous System - module 1.1

Active Transport

A protein-mediated process that expends energy to pump chemicals from the blood to the brain.

Afferent Axon

Brings information into a structure

An efferent Axon

Carries information away from a structure

Astrocytes

Wrap around the synapses of fully functioning related axons and protects the nurons’s from chemicals circulating around it.

Axon

A long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body. transmitting signals to other neurons

Blood-brain barrier

A protective barrier made of tightly packed cells that lines the blood vessels in the brain. It prevents harmful substances from reaching the brain while allowing essential nutrients to pass through.

Soma

Is the cell body for a neuron, containing the nucleus and organelles vital for cell function.

Dendrites

Branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them towards the cell body.

Dendrite spines

Increase synapses and increase surface area available for synapses

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of membranes within the neuron that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, as well as the transport of materials.

Glia

Supporting cells in the nervous system that provide structural and functional support to neurons. They play various roles including the maintenance of homeostasis, formation of myelin, and support of neuronal signaling.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is a primary source of energy for neurons and other cells in the body. It is essential for cellular metabolism and functioning.

Myelin Sheath

Insulating material that surrounds axons, facilitating faster transmission of electrical signals between neurons.

Nodes of Ranvier (RAHN-Vee-Ay)

Small gaps in the myelin sheath along an axon where action potentials are regenerated, allowing for rapid signal conduction.

Presynaptic Terminal

The end of an axon where neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals to another neuron or target cell.

Interneuron

If a cell’s dendrites and axons are contained within a single structure it’s a…

Ribosomes

Synthesize new protein molecules

Motor Neuron

It’s soma in the spinal cord, it receives its excitation through its dendrites and emits impulses along its axon to the muscles

Sensory Neuron

A neuron specialized to detect and transmit sensory information

Membrane

plasma that separates the cell from the outside environment and

Neurons

Specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body, forming the basis of communication in the brain and peripheral nervous system.

Microglia

They are tiny cells that act as a part of the immune system, removing viruses, fungi, and damaged neurons from the brain.

Oligodendrocytes

In the brain and spinal cord that builds myelin sheaths, which surround and insulate certain vertebrate axons

Schwann Cells

They are in the periphery of the body, they help build myelin sheaths, which surround and insulate certain vertebrate axons.

Radial Glia

Guide the migration of neurons and their axons and dendrites during the embryonic period.

Thiamine

To use glucose, the body needs vitamin B