Introduction to Neurons

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the structure and function of neurons, as discussed in the lecture.

Neuron

A specialized cell in the brain that conducts electrochemical signals to send and receive information.

Soma

The cell body of the neuron that helps maintain life and contains the nucleus.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive information from other neurons or stimuli.

Axon

A long fiber that relays messages away from the neuron to other cells.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty substance that surrounds the axon and helps insulate it, allowing neural signals to move quickly.

Synapse

The microscopic gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers stored in vesicles at the axon terminal that cross the synapse to communicate with other neurons.

Nodes of Ranvier

Unmyelinated gaps along the axon that facilitate faster communication through saltatory conduction.

Axon Terminal

The end of the neuron that stores neurotransmitters and releases them into the synapse.

Action Potential

An electrical impulse that travels down the axon, relaying messages quickly.