Neurons: The Building Block of the Nervous System

neuron

cell in the nervous system whose function it is to receive and transmit information

soma

contains the nucleus of the cell and keeps the cell alive

dendrite

collects information from other cells and sends the information to the soma

axon

transmits information away from the cell body toward other neurons or to the muscles and glands

myelin sheath

layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron that both acts as an insulator and allows faster transmission of the electrical signal

synapses

spaces between the cells

resting potential

state in which the interior of the neuron contains a greater number of negatively charged ions than does the area outside the cell

action potential

change in electrical charge that occurs in a neuron when a nerve impulse is transmitted

node of Ranvier

gaps between segments of the myelin sheath

neurotransmitter

chemical that relays signals across the synapses between neurons

reuptake

process in which neurotransmitters that are in the synapse are reabsorbed into the transmitting terminal buttons