Neural Tissue Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering neural tissue structure, cell types, signaling mechanisms, and neural disorders from Chapter 11.

Neuron

The basic functional unit of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting signals.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that aid and protect neurons.

Dendrites

Extensions from the neuron that receive incoming signals.

Axon

The long projection that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Action Potential

The electrical signal that travels along a neuron.

Synapse

The junction where neurons communicate through neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that facilitate synaptic transmission (e.g., dopamine, serotonin).

Myelin Sheath

Fatty insulation around axons that speeds up signal transmission.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A neurodegenerative disease that affects the myelin sheath.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Damage to peripheral nerves causing pain, tingling, or weakness.