Neurons and Their Components

Set of vocabulary flashcards based on the components and functions of neurons.

Nucleus

Collection of cell bodies.

Cell Body

Also known as soma or perikaryon; contains the usual organelles.

Grey Matter

Region in the nervous system that contains cell bodies and lacks myelin.

Neurofibrils

Structures that maintain cell shape and integrity.

Nuclei

A cluster of cell bodies in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Ganglia

A cluster of cell bodies in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Dendrites

Branching extensions of a cell body that increase surface area for input signals.

Axon

A projection of the cell body that transmits information to the axon hillock.

Axon Hillock

The area where the axon arises from the cell body.

Axon Collaterals

Branches that may arise from an axon.

Terminals

Secretory components of axons that transmit impulses and release neurotransmitters.

Axolemma

The plasma membrane of the axon.

Anterograde Transport

The movement of materials from the cell body to the terminal.

Retrograde Transport

The movement of materials from the terminal to the cell body for degradation and recycling.

Kinesin

Protein responsible for transporting materials in anterograde transport.

Dynein

Protein responsible for transporting materials in retrograde transport.

Vesicle

A small structure within cells that can contain neurotransmitters and is involved in transport processes.

Microtubule

Part of the cytoskeleton; acts as tracks for motor molecules to transport organelles.