Neuron Structure and Function

These flashcards cover the key terms related to the structure and function of neurons, types of neurons, neuroglia, and important concepts in the nervous system as presented in the lecture notes.

Neuron

A communicating cell that can have various shapes including multipolar, unipolar, and bipolar.

Axon terminal

The end of the neuron that releases neurotransmitters.

Axon hillock

The part of the neuron where the cell body connects to the axon.

Synaptic vesicles

Vesicles that contain neurotransmitters at the terminal end of a neuron.

Neurotransmitter

Signaling molecules released to adjacent neurons during cell signaling.

Dendrites

Receptive regions of a neuron.

Myelin

A fat covering over neuron axons that speeds signal conduction.

Nodes of Ranvier

Spaces of exposed cell membrane between myelin on neurons.

Bipolar neuron

A small, rare neuron found in the retina of the eye and ear.

Unipolar neuron

A common neuron of the PNS, comprising most sensory neurons.

Multipolar neuron

Common neuron in the CNS & PNS; constitutes most motor neurons.

Neuroglia

Supportive cells of neural tissue with different populations in CNS vs PNS.

Ependymal cells

Cells in the CNS that produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Astrocytes

CNS cells that regulate interstitial fluid composition and induce the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Microglia

CNS cells that attack pathogens and infected cells.

Oligodendrocytes

CNS cells that myelinate neurons.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid in the brain ventricles that provides nutrients and cushions the CNS.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

A selectively permeable barrier induced by astrocytes that regulates transport between blood and CNS.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Anatomical organization scheme consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Anatomical organization scheme consisting of cranial and spinal nerves.

Sensory information

Information detected by sensory receptors, sent to the CNS.

Motor information

Information sent to effector organs away from the CNS.

Endoderm

One of three embryonic germ layers; gives rise to inner epithelia and glandular organs.

Neurosation

The process of forming the nervous system from ectoderm.

Neural tube

The longitudinal tube forming from dorsal ectoderm that develops into the CNS.

Notochord

A rod of cells derived from mesoderm that signals the development of the nervous system.

White matter

Bundles of neuron axons in the CNS.

Gray matter

Clusters of neuron cell bodies in the CNS.

Stimuli

Changes in the environment that cause a reaction.

Saltatory conduction

Rapid transmission of action potentials down a myelinated axon.

Refractory period

Time period during an action potential when another action potential cannot or can be generated.

Excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs)

Depolarizing graded potentials on a post-synaptic cell.

Inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (IPSPs)

Hyperpolarizing graded potentials on a post-synaptic cell.