Neuron anatomy lab

sensory

External and internal stimuli, such as touch and increased blood pressure, are detected by sensory receptors distributed throughout the body

integration

Sensory information is processed by the brain and higher regions of the spinal cord for appropriate responses to be initiated.

motor

Cranial and spinal motor nerves stimulate the two effector organ.

tract

bundle of axons in CNS

nerve

bundle of axons in the PNS

nucleus

cluster of neuronal cell bodies found in the CNS

ganglion

cluster of neuronal somas in PNS

gray matter

unmyelinated axons, neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, axon terminals, supporting neuroglia, and blood vessels

white matter

myelinated axons and blood vessels

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

spinal and cranial nerves

neurons

send messages through action potentials and neurotransmitters

glia

protect, support and anchor neurons in place. form neuroglia

resting membrane potential

charge of cytosol compared to the outside of the cell; results from the collective functions of channels and the Na-K pumps

neuronal synapses

site of communication between neuron and target (in this example skeletal muscle)

axon terminal

of neuron contains synaptic vesicles

vesicles are filled with

neurotransmitters, communication molecule

an action potential causes _____

an influx of Ca2+ ions which leads to the release of neurotransmitter filled vesicles

the vesicle diffuse across the ____ and bind to ____

synaptic cleft; receptors on the target

sensory/afferent neuron

transmits information to CNS (temp, touch, light, sound)

interneuron

connects sensory and motor neurons (where processing happens)

motor/efferent neuron

transmits signals from CNS to muscles, glands, etc

unipolar

single process, mostly sensory

bipolar

2 processes, rare; usually special senses

multipolar

3+ processes, most common

CNS glial cells

astrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes

PNS glial cells

satellite cells, schwann cells

astrocytes

most abundant, support and anchor neurons to capillaries, support developing neurons and synaptic junctions, control chemical environment around neurons.

microglial cells

defensive cells, monitor neuron health, migrate towards dysfunction neurons, the phagocyte of nervous tissue

ependymal cells

line central cavities of the brain and spinal cord, form permeable barrier between central canal and nervous tissue, circulate CSF of brain and spinal cord

oligodendrocytes

produce myelin sheath of CNS

satellite cells

surround neuron cell bodies, similar to astrocytes in function, protective and cushioning cells

schwann cells

form myelin sheath of PNS, nerve regeneration