Neuro Psych Ch 1.2/1.3

Neurons

One of the two types of cells in the nervous system; receives information and transmits it to other cells

Membrane

A structure that separates the inside of the cell from the outside environment

Nucleus

The structure that contains the chromosomes

Ribosomes

Structures that synthesize new protein molecules

Endoplasmic reticulum

A network of thin tubes that transport newly synthesized proteins to other locations

Mitochondrion

Known as the “powerhouse of the cell”, this performs metabolic activities and provides energy for all the activities that cells do

Motor neuron

A type of nerve cell that receives excitation through its dendrites and conducts impulses along its axon to a muscle

Sensory neuron

A type of cell that is specialized at one end to be highly sensitive to a particular type of stimulation (such as touch)

Dendrites

Branching fibers that get narrower near their ends

Dendritic spines

Short outgrowths that increase the surface area available for synapsis

Cell body (or Soma)

A structure that contains the nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria

Axon

A thin fiber of constant diameter

Myelin sheath

An insulating material that covers many vertebrate axons

Nodes of Ranvier

Interruptions in the myelin sheath

Presynaptic terminal

The swelling at the end of each branch (also known as an end bulb)

Afferent

Brings information into a structure

Efferent

Carries information out of a structure

Interneuron/Intrinsic neuron

A cell whose dendrites and axon are entirely contained within a single structure

Glia/Glial cell

One of two types of cells in the nervous system; performs many functions through its five different kinds

Astrocytes

One of the five glial cells; wraps around dendrites and connects to functionally related axons

Microglia

One of the five glial cells; acts as part of the immune system by removing viruses and fungi from the brain

Oligodendrocytes

One of the five glial cells; found in the brian and spinal cord

Schwann cells

One of the five glial cells; found in the myelin sheaths that surround and insulate certain vertebrate axons

Radial glia

One of the five glial cells; guides the migration of neurons and their axons and dendrites during embryonic development

Blood-brain barrier

The mechanism that exculdes most chemicals from the vertebratebrain

Active transport

A protein-mediated process that expends energy to pump glucose, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and several vitamins from the blood into the brain

Glucose

A simple sugar that serves as the brain’s primary source of energy

Thiamine

A vitamin that helps to convert food into energy