Cells of the nervous system -Neurons

Function of neurons

Conduct nerve impulses around the body

Function of the glial cells

Produce the myelin sheath

And supports neurons

Which part of the neuron contains the nucleus

Cell body

What is the dendrite

Branched nerve fibres which receive nerve impulses and pass them towards a cell body

What is the axon

A single nerve fibre that carries nerve impulses away from a cell body -insulated by a fatty sheath

Function of the myelin sheath

Insulates the axon and increases the speed of impulse conduction

Definition of myelination

Process that develops the layer of insulation, myelin around axon fibres, which continues from birth to adolescence

Reason for responses to stimuli during first two years not being as rapid or co-ordinated as in older people.

Myelination continues from birth to adolescence

Explain how the structure of motor neurons causes a one year old child to be less coordinated than an adult. (1)

Myelination is incomplete and impulses are slower

Where are neurotransmitters stored?

Vesicles

The 2 methods of removal of neurotransmitters

Reuptake & removal

Protein on the postsynaptic membrane

Receptor

What is the nature of the impulse as it travels from the pre-synaptic neuron across the synapse?

Electrical→chemical