Anatomy Membrane and Neurons

Plasma membrane

It is a layer of protection for cells, that separates the cell from the surrounding environment

Phospholipid

Forms the double layered structures in cell membranes, the phospholipid bilayer. Each phospholipid has a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic heads.

Integral protein

Permanent structural components of cell membranes that extend through the lipid bilayer

Peripheral protein

proteins that are loosely associated with the inner or outer section of cell membrane, rather than being in the lipid bilayer.

Protein channel

Membrane proteins that form channels or pores through the membrane. Play a role in maintaining Cellular homeostasis.

Transporter protein

Facilitate the movement of ions, molecules and macromolecules across the membranes

Cholesterol

A waxy substance found in all cells and is necessary for cell function, but too much can be deadly and cause heart attacks.

Receptor protein

Proteins that receive chemical signals by binding to ligands (A type of molecule) which triggers a cell response

Linker protein

A short sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide that connect protein domains.

Glycolipid

Lipids with an attached Carbohydrate that play a key role in maintaining cell membrane stability Cell to cell recognition. 

Glycoprotein

A protein with an attached carbohydrate that work for cell to cell communication and recognition. 

G-protein coupled receptor

A large family of Cell surface receptors that play a part in many physiological processes. 

Cell signaling

How a cell communicates with itself or other cells.

Ligand

A molecule or ion that can bond to another ion or molecule

Signal transduction

Transmitting information from outside the cell to inside, leading to a cellular response

Acetylcholine

Stimulates muscle contraction (Voluntary and involuntary) and is a neuromodulator for attention and memory in the brain.

Neurotransmitter

Neurons that allow parts of the body to communicate with other parts.

Dopamine

A chemical that makes the body feel pleasure like eating, sex, scrolling, etc.

Ionotropic receptor

Ion channels that open when a neurotransmitter binds, that allows a specific ions to pass through.

Metabotropic receptor

Membrane bound proteins that don’t directly form ion channels, but modulates cell activity

GABA

A neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger to the brain and nervous system.

Na+- K+ pump

A transport system that moves 3 Sodium ions out and 2 Potassium ions into a cell. This establishes nerve transmission and helps send neurotransmitters to the brain.

Neuron

A unit of the nervous system that transmits and processes information

Dendrite

An extension of a nerve cell that help receive impulses from other cells at synapses.

Axon

Part of a nerve where impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.

Schwann cell

Cells in the peripheral nervous system that provide support and make myelin sheaths around axons. 

Myelin

A fatty insulating sheath that surrounds axons to insulate and speeding up electrical signals.

Soma (body)

the body of a cell that is the central part of a neuron/nerve cell

Axon terminal

The end of a neuron’s axon that transmits signals to other cells like neurons and muscle cells.

Presynaptic/postsynaptic

Presynaptic cells transmit transmit signals at a synapse, while postsynaptic cells receive those signals on the cell membrane. 

Synapse

The place where one neuron communicates with another neuron. 

Acetylcholinesterase

An enzyme in the nervous system that terminates nerve signals by breaking down acetylcholine into acetic acid and choline.

Action potential

A fast signal that travels along a neuron’s axon to transmit information. 

Depolarization

Makes the inside of a cell less negative by opening cells that let sodium into the cell. 

Resting membrane potential

When the inside of the cell gets back to negative charge after being stimulated 

Active transport

The process that has cells move ions across a membrane from lower to higher concentration.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from a higher concentration area to a lower concentration area. 

Interneuron

Central nodes of neural circuits. They process and integrate signals in the central nervous system. 

Sensory neuron

Transmits information from the peripheral nervous system to central nervous system.

Motor neuron

Transmits information from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system. 

Repolarization

When cells return to a negative resting state.

Hyperpolarization

When the action potential goes below the resting state making the inside more negative. 

Reflex

Immediate involuntary reaction to a stiumulus. 

Saltatory conduction

Rapid nerve impulse along myelinated neurons.

All or nothing principle

A nerve or muscle will either generate a response with full strength or none at all.

Neurilemma

The layer outside the Myelin sheath.

Concentration gradient

The difference of concentration between two areas.

Refractory period

A brief time after an action potential when a neuron can’t generate another action potential. 

Cerebrum

Most front part of the brain controlling concious voluntary actions

Cerebellum

Bottom part of the brain, controls balance, posture, etc.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the brain hemispheres and helps them communicate

Frontal lobe

Front part of the brain, last to develop, and controls planning, decision making, and decides personality.

Occipital lobe

At the back of the head, controls visual information and interprets them as color, shape, and size.

Parietal lobe

Located at the top back and controls Sensory information like touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. 

Hypothalamus

In the middle of the brain, controls regulation and homeostasis, also pituitary activity.

Pituitary gland

Controls hormone release that regulates many vital body functions

Midbrain

Located at the very top of the brain stem and controls motor movement and eye movement. 

Pons

Located right under the midbrain and controls sensory and motor function, sleep, cardiovascular health, and more.

Ventricle

The hollow part of the brain

Cerebrospinal fluid

A clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Envelopes the brain and spinal cord and provides support to the brain

Meninges 

Line the skull and enclose the brain and spinal cord

Temporal lobe

Located on each side, processes auditory information, memory and language

Thalamus

located in the center of the brain, relays sensory and motor information to and from the cerebral cortex

Autonomic nervous system

Controls involuntary functions like heartbeat breathing and blood flow

Ganglion

A cluster of neuron cells outside the central nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

Controls rest and digest functions, promoting relaxation and saving energy

Sympathetic nervous system

Controls fight or flight mode, alertness and arousal

Somatic nervous system

Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements and relays sensory information.

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord, body’s main control center

Peripheral nervous system

Branches off of the CNS and goes to all parts of the body.

Gyrus

a ridge/fold between clefts on the cerebral surface of the brain

Sulcus

A groove on the brain

Medulla oblongota

Bottom of the brain stem that controls blood pressure, heart rhythm, and breathing

Dermatomes

An area of skin supplied by one nerve.