AP Psychology | Unit 1 - Types of Cells in the Nervous System & Parts of Neurons and Neural Firing

Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior | Types of Cells in the Nervous System

Glial Cells

“Glue” cells that provide structure, institution, communication, and waste transport in the brain.

Neuron

Nerve cell that is the building block of the nervous system.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information from senses to brain.

Interneuron

Neurons of CNS; communicate between sensory and motor neurons.

Motor Neurons

Carry information from brain to senses.

Reflex

Unlearned, involuntary reaction to a stimulus; done through spinal cord.

Reflex Arc

Demonstrates how neurons within the central and peripheral nervous system work together to repons to stimuli.

Sensory, Inter, and Motor neurons work together to create arc.

Dendrite

Receives information from other neurons by collecting neurotransmitters.

Axon

Passes information to other neurons, muscles, and glands by releasing neurotransmitters from terminal buttons.

• Dendrites Detect (DD)

Myelin Sheath

Insulates the axon and conducts electrical impulses.

Multiple Sclerosis

Breakdown of myelin sheath causes this disease; symptoms include tremors, weakness, and vision problems.

Action Potential

Firing of an electrical charge within a single neuron, travels down axon.

All or Nothing Principle

Neuron either fires or doesn’t; no halfway.

Resting Potential

Positive ions (electrically charged atoms) on outside / negative on inside; neuron is ready to fire.

Firing Threshold

The minimum energy required for a neuron to fire.

Depolarization

When firing, positive ions ruch in / negative rush out.

Refractory Period

Time it takes a neuron to recharge (can’t fire in this period).

Axon Terminal Buttons

The branched end of an axon that contains neurotransmitters and sends them into the synapse [synaptic vesicles that hold neurotransmitters until released].

Stnapse / Synaptic Gap

The space between the axon terminal and the dendrites of the receiving neuron which neurotransmitters go through to pass to the next neuron.