Neurons and Synaptic Transmission

neuron

• nerve cells that transmits messages through electrical and chemical signals

sensory neuron 

these carry messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system - have long dendrites and short axons 

motor neurons 

these connect the central nervous system to things such as muscles and glands - have short dendrites and long axons 

cell body

includes a nucleus which contains the genetic material of the cell

dendrites

these carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body

axon

carries the impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron

myelin sheath 

axon is covered in this fatty layer - protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmission of the impulse

nodes of Ranvier

the gaps that separate the the myelin sheath

when it reaches this gap it speeds up the transmission of the signal because it “jumps” the gaps

axon terminal 

communicates with the next neuron in the chain across a gap known as the synapse