Cells of the Nervous System I

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to cellular and molecular neuroscience, specifically focused on the structures and functions of cells in the nervous system.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for integrating, processing, and coordinating sensory data and motor commands.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system including all neural tissue outside the CNS, responsible for carrying motor commands from the CNS to peripheral tissues.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

The division of the PNS that controls skeletal muscle contractions.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The division of the PNS responsible for automatic regulation of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Neurons

The main functional units of the nervous system that transmit information via electrical and chemical signals.

Glial Cells (Neuroglia)

Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide support, nourishment, and protection for neurons.

Astrocytes

The most numerous type of glial cell, controlling the chemical environment around neurons.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells responsible for the formation of myelin sheaths around neuronal axons in the CNS.

Microglia

The immune cells of the brain that respond to injury or disease and help in synaptic pruning.

Ependymal Cells

Glial cells that line the ventricles of the brain and help produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Endothelial Cells

Cells that form the walls of blood vessels, playing a key role in the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Pericytes

Cells that regulate capillary function and contribute to the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.

Sensory Receptors

Structures that detect changes in the external or internal environment and convey that information to the CNS.

Motor Commands

Signals sent from the CNS to effectors that elicit a response, such as muscle contraction.

Effectors

Target organs or cells that respond to neuronal commands, such as muscles and glands.

Cognition

The mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, including aspects such as perception, thinking, reasoning, and memory.

Neuronal Dendrites

Branch-like structures of neurons that receive messages from other neurons.

Neuronal Axons

Long projections of a neuron that transmit electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or effectors.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons or a neuron and an effector where communication occurs.

Neuron Classification

Grouping of neurons based on structure, function, or neurotransmitter type.

Neuronal Soma

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and organelles.

Subcellular Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions necessary for cellular operation.

Mitochondria

Cellular organelles responsible for generating ATP, providing energy for neuronal functions.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

The organelle involved in the synthesis of proteins, especially those that will be secreted or inserted into membranes.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle responsible for modifying, packaging, and transporting proteins and lipids.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle containing genetic material in the form of DNA.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that carries genetic information in cells.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A molecule that acts as a template for protein synthesis based on DNA instructions.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that help regulate the transcription of DNA into RNA.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype without changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

Introns

Non-coding segments of a gene that are removed during RNA splicing.

Exons

Coding segments of a gene that are expressed and translated into proteins.

Nissl Stain

A staining technique used to visualize neuronal cell bodies and rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Golgi Stain

A method that allows visualization of the entire structure of neurons, including dendrites and axons.

Neuron Doctrine

The concept that the nervous system is made up of discrete cells (neurons) that communicate via synapses.

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)

A protein used to tag neurons in research studies for visualization.