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Neuron
The fundamental unit of the nervous system that transmits electrical and chemical signals.
Sensory neurons
Neurons that detect stimuli and send signals to the brain or spinal cord.
Motor neurons
Neurons that send signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles and glands.
Interneurons
Neurons that connect other neurons within the central nervous system (CNS).
Dendrites
Components of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.
Cell body (Soma)
Part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and essential organelles.
Axon
A long projection of a neuron that transmits signals to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Myelin Sheath
A fatty layer that insulates the axon, increasing the speed of signal transmission.
Axon Terminals
The end of a neuron where signals are sent to the next cell.
Resting potential
The electrical potential of a neuron at rest, typically around -70mV.
Depolarization
The process where sodium ions enter the neuron, making the inside more positive.
Repolarization
The process of potassium ions exiting the neuron, restoring its negative charge.
Refractory period
The time during which a neuron cannot fire again after an action potential.
Synapse
The junction between two neurons or a neuron and a target cell.
Electrical synapse
A type of synapse that allows direct flow of ions between neurons via gap junctions.
Chemical synapse
A type of synapse where neurotransmitters carry the signal across the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitter
Chemical substances that transmit signals across a synapse.
Acetylcholine (ACh)
A neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction, learning, and memory.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter associated with reward, pleasure, and movement regulation.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
An inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neural activity.
Glutamate
The main excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.
Alzheimer’s disease
A disorder linked to low levels of acetylcholine.
Parkinson’s disease
A disorder caused by dopamine deficiency, affecting movement.
Epilepsy
A condition characterized by overactivity of neurons leading to seizures.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections.
Hebbian learning
The principle that neurons that fire together, wire together.
Long-term potentiation (LTP)
The strengthening of synaptic connections with repeated use.
Graded potentials
Small, localized changes in membrane potential that can be excitatory or inhibitory.
Action potential (AP)
A rapid, large change in membrane potential triggered by reaching a threshold.
Absolute refractory period
The time during which no new action potential can be initiated.
Relative refractory period
The time during which a stronger stimulus is required to initiate an action potential.
Saltatory conduction
The process by which action potentials jump between nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons.
Continuous conduction
A slower method of action potential conduction occurring in unmyelinated axons.
Excitatory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that cause depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron, stopping signal propagation.
EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential)
A graded depolarization that moves the membrane potential closer to the action potential threshold.
IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential)
A graded hyperpolarization that prevents the neuron from reaching the threshold.
Acetylcholinesterase
An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
Tetrodotoxin
A neurotoxin that blocks sodium channels, preventing action potentials.
Botulinum toxin
A neurotoxin that blocks acetylcholine release, preventing muscle contraction.
Nicotinic receptors
Ligand-gated channels activated by acetylcholine, leading to muscle contraction.
Muscarinic receptors
G-protein-coupled receptors activated by acetylcholine, which can be excitatory or inhibitory.
Reuptake channels
Transporters that bring neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic neuron for reuse.
Diffusion
The process by which neurotransmitters move out of the synaptic cleft to reduce concentration.
Long-Term Depression (LTD)
A long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength in response to low-frequency stimulation.
Neurotoxin examples
Substances like tetrodotoxin and botulinum toxin that block synaptic transmission.
Cells of the nervous system
Includes neurons and glial cells, which support and protect neurons.
Neurotransmitter release
The process in which neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitter termination
Methods by which neurotransmitter effects are ended, including reuptake, enzymatic degradation, or diffusion.
Excitatory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters like glutamate that lead to depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters such as GABA that hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron, preventing action potentials.
Long-term potentiation (LTP)
A persistent increase in the strength of synaptic connections following high-frequency stimulation.
Long-term depression (LTD)
A long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength resulting from low-frequency stimulation.
