Neurons: Cellular and Network Properties Flashcards

Flashcards on Neurons: Cellular and Network Properties

Neurotransmitters

Neurons with processes secrete these chemical messengers to communicate with other cells.

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord make up this division of the nervous system.

Peripheral nervous system

This division of the nervous system includes sensory (afferent) neurons and efferent neurons.

Neurons

Neurons that carry electrical signals and are the functional unit of the nervous system

Multipolar neuron

A type of neuron that has many processes extending from the cell body.

Efferent neurons

These neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles or glands

Nerves

Axons bundled together with connective tissue

Cell body

The control center of the neuron

Dendrites

Neuron structures that receive incoming signals

Axons

Neuron structures that carry outgoing signals

Synapse

A region where an axonal terminal meets its target cell

Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes

Cells that wrap around the axon and form insulating myelin sheaths

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the insulation around axons, allowing action potentials to propagate

Microglia

Supporting CNS cells; specialized immune cells.

Nernst equation

The equation to predict membrane potential if permeable to only that ion.

Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation

The equation that calculates the membrane potential that results from the contribution of all ions that can cross the membrane.

Ion channels

Channels are named for the primary ion that passes through them

Graded Potentials

Variable strength signals used for short distance communication

Action Potentials

Very brief, large depolarizations that are used for rapid signaling over long distances

Conduction

High-speed movement of an action potential along an axon.

Absolute refractory period

The period when action potentials will not fire due to +Na channels resetting.

Saltatory conduction

Conduction that is faster in myelinated neurons

Electrical synapses

Pass electrical signals through gap junctions enabling synchronized activity of a network of cells

Chemical synapses

Use neurotransmitters that cross synaptic clefts to communicate between neurons

Ionotropic receptors

Receptors also called receptor-channels which bind neurotransmitters

Metabotropic receptors

G protein-coupled receptors for neuromodulators.

Acetylcholine

Broken down by Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Synaptic plasticity

A change of activity at the synapses

EPSP

An excitatory postsynaptic potential that is depolarizing

IPSP

An inhibitory postsynaptic potential that is hyperpolarizing

Spatial summation

Type of summation where two or more neurons simultaneously fire and have an additive effect

Temporal summation

Summation occurring when graded potentials overlap in time and having an additive effect

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

Activity at a synapse induces sustained changes in quality or quantity of connections.