2.1: Neurons and Neurological Structure

Neurons

Neurons

Cells that transmit and process information in the nervous system.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive sensory information.

Axons

Long projections that carry electrical messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Cell Body

The life-support center of the neuron that processes incoming information.

Myelin Sheath

Insulating layer made of glial cells that speeds up the transmission of electrical messages along the axon.

Action Potential

The electrical charge generated by the movement of ions during neural stimulation.

Resting Potential

The polarized state of an axon when it is not actively transmitting a message.

Synapse

The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released and received.

Synaptic Gap

The space between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrites of another.

Synaptic Vesicles

Membrane-bound sacs that contain neurotransmitters to be released into the synapse.

Terminal Branches

The end parts of an axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Buttons

The small structures at the end of terminal branches that release neurotransmitters.

Simple Reflex

A quick response mechanism that bypasses the brain, sending messages directly from sensory neurons to motor neurons via the spinal cord.