Week 1 (Parts of a Neuron, Neuron Functions, Efferent vs. Afferent)

Neurons

They receive, integrate, and send information to and from other cells.

Dendrites

Branching fibers that receive information

Dendritic Spines

Small projections from the surface that add additional space for synapses

Soma

Performs functions that allow the cell to live

Axon

Sends information to other cells

Presynaptic Terminals

Where the axon releases chemicals so it can signal the next cell

Myelin Sheaths

Layers of fat that insulates the axon, improving the conduction of the signal

Output Zone

Where the neuron signals across synapses to other cells

Axon Terminals

Serves as the output zone

Multipolar

A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon

Bipolar neuron

A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end

Unipolar neuron

a single extensions that branches in two different directions after leaving the cell body

Motor neuron

Receive motor commands from the brain and send those signals to the muscles for movement.

Sensory neurons

Receive information from the outside environment and send those signals to the brain

Interneurons

Help integrate signals from other neurons and facilitate communication

Form

has function

Efferent axons

Carry information from the brain to the body

Afferent axons

Carry information from the body to the brain