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What is the synapse?
The synapse is the small gap or space between two neurons where communication happens.
What role does the synapse play?
It plays a key role in passing signals from one neuron to another during synaptic reactions.
What is an action potential?
It is the part of a nerve cell that is currently experiencing an electrical signal actively traveling.
What happens during an action potential?
The nerve cell's membrane temporarily changes its electrical charge, allowing ions to flow in and out.
What does an axon do?
Axons send messages to other cells in the body and control movements and sensory information.
What is an axon terminal?
The very end of an axon where the electrical signal turns chemical and crosses the synapse.
What are vesicles in nerve cells?
Vesicles are small cellular containers that transport materials needed by nerve cells.
What role do vesicles play?
They transport neurotransmitters and protect vital materials within nerve cells.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other.
How do neurotransmitters function?
They carry signals from one neuron to another across synapses.
What are dendrites?
Dendrites are branch-like parts of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.
What function do receptors perform in a synapse?
Receptors catch neurotransmitters, sending messages to nerve cells.
What is meant by resting membrane potential?
It refers to the state where all channels are closed, with more potassium inside and sodium outside.
What is the role of ATP during resting membrane potential?
ATP provides energy for the pump that maintains ion balance across the membrane.
What is the significance of the threshold in membrane potential?
It marks the first movement towards generating an action potential.
What does depolarizing refer to?
It refers to the movement towards more positive electrical charges in a neuron.
What are the Schwann cells?
Schwann cells produce the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers.
What is the myelin sheath?
It is an insulating layer made of Schwann cell membranes that interrupts with nodes called Nodes of Ranvier.
What are Nodes of Ranvier?
They are gaps in the myelin sheath found between neighboring Schwann cells.
What is multipolar neuron form?
It is the most common type of neuron found in the CNS and Efferent PNS.
Where are bipolar neurons located?
They are found in specialized sensory areas and can be in both the CNS and PNS.
What is a pseudounipolar neuron?
A common neuron form in invertebrates and found in the CNS toward the neuron.
In what system do unipolar neurons primarily exist?
Unipolar neurons are commonly found in the sensory division of the Peripheral Nervous System.
What neurotransmitter function is vital to the autonomic nervous system?
They help regulate involuntary body functions like heart rate and digestion.
Which ions are primarily involved in resting membrane potential?
Potassium (K+) and Sodium (Na+).
What happens to neurotransmitters after they bind to their receptors?
They transmit signals and may be reabsorbed or broken down.
How do neurons communicate across the synapse?
By releasing neurotransmitters that travel across the synapse to bind to receptors.
What is the basic structural component of gray matter?
The cell body of a neuron.
What occurs at axon terminals?
Nerve signals are converted from electrical to chemical signals and passed on.
Why are vesicles crucial in neuron function?
They ensure the delivery of neurotransmitters to the synapse for effective communication.
What influences the electrical charge during action potential?
The movement of sodium ions into the cell and potassium ions out of the cell.
What structure within a neuron houses the nucleus?
The cell body.
What is the primary role of dendrites?
To carry signals toward the cell body of the neuron.
How do Schwann cells contribute to nerve function?
They create the myelin sheath that speeds up signal transmission.
What type of neuron is characterized by a single axon and dendrite?
Bipolar neuron.
What happens to the electrical charge during depolarization?
The cell membrane becomes more positive as sodium ions enter.
How are neurotransmitter signals influenced by receptor interactions?
They determine the response of the receiving neuron based on the binding of neurotransmitters.
What happens at the presynaptic cleft?
The neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal before crossing to the postsynaptic cleft.
In terms of nerve cell structure, what distinguishes multipolar neurons?
They have multiple extensions or dendrites.
What is the role of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?
To contain all of the chromosomal DNA of the cell.
How do receptors function as 'locks' in the synapse?
They catch specific neurotransmitters like keys to send signals to the neuron.
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