Brain Basics Quiz

Neuron

a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.

Sensory neurons

neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain and the spinal cord

Motor neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

Interneurons

Central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Central Nervous System (CNS)

consists of the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

Glia

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Cell body (soma)

contains the nucleus of the neuron, where proteins are made; sustains cell life

Dendrites

a neuron's branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Axon

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles/ glands

Terminal buttons (axon terminals)

ends of axons that secrete neurotransmitters into the synapse

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another

Synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

Myelin sheath

a fatty tissue layer encasing the axons of some neurons; enables greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one node to the next

Schwann cells

Supporting cells of the peripheral nervous system responsible for the formation of myelin

Node of Ranvier

small gap between myelinated segments where axon membrane is exposed; increases speed of impulses