Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Nerve Cell

building block of nerves

Soma

cell body

life support center

Dendrites

neurons branches

receives messages from other neurons

Axon

info taker

carries the action potential from soma to the terminals

Myelin Sheath

protective layer that insulates axon

Axon Terminals

the ending

stores the neurotransmitters in vesicles

Action Potential

neural impulse

electrochemical reaction along the cell

Glial Cells

clean up brains debris, transport nutrients to neuron, hold neuron in place, keep them healthy

Sensory neurons (afferent neurons)

carry info IN to the CNS

Motor neurons (efferent neurons)

carry info OUT of CNS

E EXIT

Vesicles

portion of the axon terminals

Interneurons (relay neurons)

connect sensory and motor neurons in CNS

Sodium Potassium Pump

transport sodium ions out of cell and potassium ions fill into the cell

Excitatory effect

neurotransmitters effect makes it more likely to receive neurons

Threshold

depolarization must reach for an action potential to occur

Inhibitory effect

neurotransmitters effect makes it less likely to receive neurons

when an action potential reaches the end of a neuron neurotransmitters are released into the synapse. the neurotransmitters rapidly cross the synapse to fit into receptor sites on the dendrites of the next neuron