Neurons, Glia, and the Blood-Brain Barrier - Vocabulary

25 vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering neurons, glia, neuron structure, and the blood-brain barrier.

Neuron

The basic cell of the nervous system that receives information and transmits it to other cells.

Glia (neuroglia)

Supporting cells of the nervous system with diverse functions; the other major cell type besides neurons.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Pioneer of neuroscience who used staining to show the nervous system is made of separate cells; famous for drawings.

Golgi stain

A silver-based staining method used to visualize neurons; adapted by Cajal for infant brains.

Membrane (plasma membrane)

The cell's outer boundary that separates the inside from the outside.

Nucleus

The structure that contains the chromosomes.

Mitochondrion

Organelle that provides the energy for the cell's metabolic activities.

Ribosome

Organelle where new protein molecules are synthesized.

Endoplasmic reticulum

Network of thin tubes that transports newly synthesized proteins to other locations.

Soma (cell body)

Contains the nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria; the metabolic center of the neuron.

Dendrite

Branching fibers that receive information; dendritic spines increase surface area for synapses.

Axon

Thin fiber that conducts impulses away from the cell body; may be very long.

Presynaptic terminal

Axon terminal that releases neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Dendritic spines

Small protrusions on dendrites that increase synaptic surface area.

Axon hillock

Area where the axon begins; typically the site where the action potential is triggered.

Myelin sheath

Insulating layer around many axons; contains gaps called nodes of Ranvier.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid impulse conduction.

Afferent axon

Axon that brings information into a structure.

Efferent axon

Axon that carries information away from a structure.

Interneuron

Neuron whose dendrites and axon are contained within a single structure; intrinsic neuron.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped glia that wrap around synapses and participate in the tripartite synapse; pass chemicals between neurons and blood.

Oligodendrocyte

Glial cell in the CNS that forms myelin sheaths around axons and supplies nutrients.

Schwann cell

Peripheral glial cell that forms myelin around axons.

Radial glia

Glia that guides neuronal migration during development and can differentiate into neurons or other glial cells.

Blood-brain barrier

Selective barrier of tightly joined cells around brain vessels that blocks many substances while allowing essential nutrients via active transport.