Parts of the Neuron
Branch-like extensions that serve
as the main input sites for the cell.
What are dendrites?
Have 1 dendrite coming in to cell body and 1 axon going out
What is a bipolar neuron?
Value of the electrical potential across the membrane when a neuron is not transmitting information
What is resting membrane potential?
Ion channels that open when a neurotransmitter binds
What is a ligand-gated channel?
Governs muscle contractions and causes glands to secrete hormones
What is acetylcholine?
Is the output unit of the cell, specialized to send information to other neurons, muscle cells, or glands
What is the axon?
The retinal cell of the eye is this type of neuron.
What is a bipolar cell?
Uses energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to move ions across the membrane against their electrochemical gradient
What is the Na+/K+ pump?
The flux of positively charged ions into the cell which causes the postsynaptic cell membrane to become depolarized (less negative)
What is a excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)?
Associated with pleasure & reward thus motivating one to move
What is dopamine?
Synthesizes a large quantity and variety of proteins used as neurotransmitters.
What is the soma?
Appear to have a single projection from the cell body that divides into two axonal roots.
What are pseudounipolar cells?
Two forces that determine ion distribution across the plasma membrane
What are concentration and electrical gradients?
Involves a local flow of Cl- and/or K+ in response to a neurotransmitter binding to postsynaptic membrane receptors
What is a inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)?
Involved in behavior, mood, appetite, perception of pain and temperature regulation
What is serotonin?
Transmit elements of the neuron.
What are the presynaptic terminals?
Most common cells in the vertebrate nervous system.
What are multipolar cells?
Increases the likelihood that a neuron will generate a transmittable electrical signal and is excitatory
What is depolarization?
This is what happens when a neurotransmitter contacts a receptor on the postsynaptic membrane and binds to the receptor
What is "the receptor changes shape"?
Over activity or excessive levels associated with panic
What is norepinephrine?
Energy source for the neuron.
What is mitochondria?
Receive as many as 150,000 synapses on their dendrites.
What are Purkinje cells?
Decreases the neuron's ability to generate an electrical signal, and is inhibitory.
What is hyperpolarization?
This is what happens when EPSP’s coincide with IPSP’s
What is "summation determines whether an action potential will be generated"?
Concentrated in hypothalamus and regulates hormonal function
What is histamine?