neurons and synapses

dendrites

long branching extensions. pass information

soma

cell body.

axon terminals

close proximity to dendrites. synapses. signal transmission.

glial cells

the “glue’ (i.e. oligodendrocytes, schwann cells, astrocytes, microglia)

oligodendrocytes

insulation. CNS. myelination

schwann cells

PNS

astrocytes

chemical balancing outside neurons. repair of injury in central nervous system. contribution of nutrients. regulation of blood flow

microglia

front line of immune defense. consume and destroy.

receptors

specialized proteins in the cell membrane

neurotransmitter removal

degradation, diffusion, and reuptake

agonist

SSRIs. preventing chemicals from being transported back into presynaptic cell

antagonists

dampen or block normal receptor function

postsynaptic potentials

inside is more negative than outside by -70mV (i.e. EPSP and IPSP)

excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

positive ions flow into cell (depolarizaiton) closer to 0

inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

positive ions flow out the cell (hyperpolarization) further from 0