Anatomy of a Neuron
This is another name for the main cell body of a neuron
Soma
This is where local potentials occur
Dendrites and soma (cell body)
This is where action potentials begin
Axon hillock
This kind of channel opens in response to the presence of a neurotransmitter
Ligand-gated channel
The resting membrane potential is this, meaning that the inside is more negative than the outside
Polarized
This is a special name given to the junction of a neuron with another cell
Synapse
In order to trigger an action potential, a local potential must go above this
Threshold potential
We say that action potentials are this because either one happens and looks exactly the same as every other action potential, or it doesn't happen at all
All-or-nothing
This kind of channel opens in response to a change in the membrane potential
Voltage-gated channel
When the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting membrane potential, we say that it is this
Hyperpolarized
This is a long process that carries a nerve impulse away from the cell body to form a synapse with another cell
Axon
We say that local potentials are this because some are small, and some are large, depending on the strength of the stimulus
Graded
Action potentials are this because they do not diminish in strength as they travel away from their point of origin
Non-diminishing
This membrane protein uses ATP to restore concentrations of Na+ and K+ to their "resting" levels
Sodium-potassium pump
When the membrane potential becomes more positive, it is becoming this
Depolarized
To speed conduction, many axons are covered with this
Myelin
Local potentials are this because they diminish in strength as they travel away from the point of origin
Decremental (decreasing in increments)
Action potentials are this because once one gets started, theree's no stopping it - even if the signal stops
Irreversible
A voltage-gated Na+ channel propagates the action potential by suing this kind of feedback
Positive
When the K+ channels open in response to depolarization, the membrane potential will begin to do this
Positive charge will begin to decrease
These small projections are the receiving part of the neuron
Local potentials are this because as long as there is an incoming signal, there is a local potential, but when the signal goes away, the membrane potential quickly returns to normal
Reversible
Action potentials travel in one direction because the area where the action potential just was is this
In its refractory period
When this ion crosses the membrane through specific channels, the membrane potential becomes more negative
K+ ions
After depolarization, the membrane potential does this to return to the resting membrane potential
Repolarizes