Unit 1.1 - Neurons + NTs 1

General Neurons and Neuron Strcuture

Neurons

individual cells that make up our nervous system (building block)

Glial cells

provide nutrition and protection for the neurons

Sensory neurons

neurons that take information from the senses to the brain

Motor neurons

neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body

Interneurons

in the brain or spinal cord, neurons that take messages and send them elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord

Spinal Reflex

An immediate response to external stimuli directed at the level of the spinal cord

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action, usually involving a sensory neuron, an interneuron, and a motor neuron

Mirror Neurons

neurons that play a role in action understanding, imitation learning, and language processing. Enables us to recreate and embody the intentions of others.

soma (cell body)

contains the nucleus (brain) of the cell

dendrites

receive messages from other neurons and pass it down to the soma

axon

wire like structure that extends from the soma to the axon terminals

myelin sheath

fatty substance encasing most neurons in the brain

nodes of ranvier

microscopic periodic gaps found within the myelin sheath on the axon of certain neurons

axon terminals

turns electrical signal → chemical signals

terminal buttons

transmit signals to other neurons by releasing neurotransmitters into the synaps

synapse/synaptic gap/synaptic cleft

gap between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrites of another