Nervous Tissue

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture on nervous tissue and neurophysiology.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions and does not require conscious control.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the nervous system that controls voluntary actions and requires conscious control.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes cranial and spinal nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Neuroglial Cells

Supporting cells of the nervous system that aid neurons in function.

Astrocytes

Most common type of neuroglial cell in the CNS, star-shaped, and assists in recapturing neurotransmitters.

Microglial Cells

Transform into macrophages and phagocytize debris and microorganisms in the CNS.

Ependymal Cells

Ciliated cells that line brain ventricles and assist in circulating cerebrospinal fluid.

Oligodendrocytes

Produce myelin sheaths in the CNS.

Schwann Cells

Form myelin sheaths in the PNS and are crucial for regenerating damaged peripheral nerve fibers.

Neurons

The working units of the nervous system that generate and transmit impulses.

Cell Body (Cyton)

Contains the nucleus and is the major biosynthetic center of a neuron.

Dendrite

Short, nerve cell extensions that receive signals and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

Axon

Long extension that transmits impulses away from the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

Insulating layer surrounding the axon, aiding in the speed of impulse transmission.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid impulse conduction.

Resting Membrane Potential

The electrical charge difference across the neuron's membrane when not conducting an impulse.

Action Potential

A rapid change in membrane potential that occurs when a neuron transmits an impulse.

Repolarization

Process where the cell membrane potential returns to its resting state after depolarization.

Na+/K+ Pumps

Transport proteins that maintain resting membrane potential by moving sodium out and potassium in.

Synaptic Transmission

The process of transmitting nerve impulses between neurons at synapses.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Enzymatic Degradation

The breakdown of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft by enzymes.

Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron after signal transmission.