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Cell Body
Largest part of a typical neuron; contains the nucleus and much of the cytoplasm. (Also known as Soma)
Dendrites
The bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body. (Input)
Axon
The extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands.
Myelin sheath
A layer of fatty cells segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons. (Makes possible vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses.
Terminal branches of axons
Branched endings of an axon that transmit messages to other neurons by forming synapses with the dendrites and cell bodies of other neurons. (Output)
Resting potential
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane
Action Potential
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. Generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of the channels in the axon's membrane.
Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Polarize
Depolarize
All-or-none response
A neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing.
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether it will generate a neural impulse.
Excitatory signal
Increases likelihood that neuron will fire, or that an action potential will take place.
Inhibitory signal
Prevents an action potential.
Reuptake
When the sending neuron reabsorbs the excess neurotransmitters.
Sensory neurons
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord (Central Nervous System)
Interneurons
Neurons that connect spinal motor and sensory neurons. (Exclusively found in the Central Nervous System)
Motor Neurons
Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Glial Cells
They are the "glue" of the nervous system, engaging in activities to support typical brain functions.
Brain/Blood Barrier (BBB)
A specialized system of brain microvascular cells that shields the brain from toxic substances in the blood, supplied brain tissue with nutrients, and filter's compounds from the brain back to the bloodstream.
How many neurons does a body have?
135 Billion
How many possible connections?
100 Trillion
Acetylcholine (ACh)
An excitatory neurotransmitter. Movement, Memory, Attention, Learning.
Dopamine
An excitatory neurotransmitter. Participates in motivation, reward, and pleasure.
Serotonin
Inhibitory, participates in mood, appetite, and sleep. (Mood elevator)
Norepinephrine
Excitatory neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal.
GABA
Inhibitory neurotransmitter, lessens the ability of a nerve cell to receive, create or send chemical messages to other nerve cells. Known for producing a calming effect and is thought to play a major role in controlling anxiety, stress, and fear. (CNS)
Glutomate
Excitatory neurotransmitter, important to the CNS where it plays a major role in shaping learning and memory.
Endorphins
Inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief, can alleviate pain, lower stress, improve mood, and enhance your sense of well-being.
Reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
Hormones
Secreted by glands into the blood stream.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
The Nervous System
Transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Sends info from different areas of the body back to the brain + carries out commands from the brain to the body.
The Somatic Nervous System (PNS - SNS)
Allows you to move and control muscles throughout your body.
The Autonomic Nervous System (PNS - ANS)
Regulates the body's vital functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure.
Sensory (PNS - SNS - S)
Receives and processes info that generated an individual's awareness of their environment
Motor (PNS - SNS - M)
Generates signals to direct the movement of the body
The Sympathetic Nervous System (PNS - ANS - SNS2)
Carries signals related to the "fight or flight" response.
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS - ANS - PNS2)
Relaxes the body after periods of stress or danger.
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
Receives, processes, and responds to sensory information.
The Spinal Cord (CNS - SC)
Sends motor commands from the brain to the body + sends sensory info from the body to brain and coordinates reflexes.
The Brain (CNS - B)
Controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulated our body.