Neural Signaling

Neuron: A specialized cell that transmits electrical signals in the nervous system.

Nerve Fiber: A long projection of a neuron that conducts impulses away from the cell body.

Dendrite: A branched extension of a neuron that receives signals from other neurons.

Axon: The long, slender part of a neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Axon Terminal: The endpoint of an axon where neurotransmitters are released to communicate with other neurons.

Sensory Neuron: A type of neuron that carries sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

Interneuron: A neuron that connects sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system.

Resting Potential: The electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane when it is not actively transmitting a signal.

Sodium-Potassium Pump: A protein that helps maintain the resting potential by moving sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell.

Nerve Impulse: An electrical signal that travels along a neuron's axon.

Action Potential: A rapid change in membrane potential that occurs when a neuron fires and transmits a signal.

Myelin: A fatty substance that insulates axons and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses.

Myelinated Axons: Axons that are covered with myelin, allowing for faster nerve impulse conduction.

Non-myelinated Axons: Axons that lack a myelin sheath, resulting in slower nerve impulse conduction.

Correlation: A statistical measure that describes the relationship between two variables.

Positive Correlation: A relationship where an increase in one variable is associated with an increase in another variable.

Negative Correlation: A relationship where an increase in one variable is associated with a decrease in another variable.

Coefficient of Determination (R²): A statistical measure that indicates the proportion of variance in one variable that can be explained by another variable.

Synapses: Junctions between two neurons where communication occurs through neurotransmitters.

Presynaptic Membrane: The membrane of the neuron that sends the signal in a synapse.

Synaptic Cleft: The small gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes at a synapse.

Postsynaptic Membrane: The membrane of the neuron that receives the signal in a synapse.

Neurotransmitter: A chemical messenger that transmits signals across synapses between neurons.

Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter involved in muscle activation and various brain functions including memory and learning.