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Nervous System Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

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  • What happens first when an action potential reaches the axon terminal?
    Voltage-gated calcium (Ca²⁺) channels open, allowing calcium to enter the neuron.
  • Why is calcium important during nerve transmission?
    Calcium causes synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
  • What are synaptic vesicles?
    Small membrane-bound sacs in the axon terminal that store neurotransmitters like acetylcholine.
  • What is acetylcholine (ACh)?
    A neurotransmitter that carries signals across synapses and stimulates skeletal muscle contraction.
  • What is the synaptic cleft?
    The tiny gap between the presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic cell where neurotransmitters diffuse.
  • What is the postsynaptic cell?
    The cell that receives neurotransmitters; can be a neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
  • Where do neurotransmitters bind after crossing the synaptic cleft?
    To specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, initiating a response.
  • What triggers synaptic vesicles to release acetylcholine?
    Calcium entering the axon terminal triggers vesicles to fuse with the membrane and release acetylcholine by exocytosis.
  • What occurs at the synapse?
    Chemical communication between two cells via neurotransmitter release.
  • What is the function of dendrites?
    To receive incoming signals from other neurons and carry them toward the cell body.
  • What is the function of the cell body (soma)?
    Contains the nucleus and organelles; serves as the neuron's metabolic center.
  • What is the function of the axon?
    Conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, or glands.
  • What is the function of the myelin sheath?
    Insulates the axon and greatly increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction.
  • What are Nodes of Ranvier?
    Gaps between myelin segments where action potentials are regenerated for saltatory conduction.
  • What is the function of the axon terminal?
    Stores and releases neurotransmitters to communicate with the next cell.
  • What is the function of astrocytes?
    Provide structural support, maintain the blood-brain barrier, regulate extracellular environment, and assist in repair.
  • Where are astrocytes located?
    In the central nervous system (CNS).
  • What is the function of oligodendrocytes?
    Produce myelin sheath around CNS axons; one can myelinate multiple axons.
  • What is the function of Schwann cells?
    Produce myelin sheath around PNS axons and assist with nerve regeneration.
  • What is the function of ependymal cells?
    Line brain ventricles and spinal cord central canal; help produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • What is the primary function of neurons?
    To receive, process, and transmit electrical signals throughout the nervous system.
  • Do mature neurons normally divide?
    No, mature neurons are amitotic and generally do not undergo cell division.
  • Why do neurons have a high metabolic rate?
    They require continuous oxygen and glucose to produce ATP for nerve impulse conduction.
  • What structures make up the central nervous system (CNS)?
    The brain and spinal cord.
  • What does norepinephrine do?
    Involved in the sympathetic nervous system; increases heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.
  • What does dopamine do?
    Involved in movement, motivation, reward, learning, and pleasure.
  • What does serotonin do?
    Regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and emotional well-being.
  • What is a tract?
    A bundle of axons located in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • What is a nerve?
    A bundle of axons located in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
  • What is a ganglion?
    A collection of neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
  • What is a nucleus in the nervous system?
    A collection of neuron cell bodies in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • Difference between a tract and a nerve?
    A tract is a bundle of axons in the CNS; a nerve is a bundle of axons in the PNS.
  • Difference between a ganglion and a nucleus?
    A ganglion is neuron cell bodies in the PNS; a nucleus is neuron cell bodies in the CNS.