Neurons and Action Potentials exam Flashcards

A nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system.

Glial cells support and protect neurons.

A long projection of a neuron that transmits electrical signals to the terminal.

Dendrites receive signals from other neurons.

A rapid rise and fall in membrane potential that propagates along the axon.

Myelin sheaths insulate axons and speed up action potential propagation.

Gaps in the myelin sheath where ion channels are concentrated.

A junction between two neurons where signals are transmitted.

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse.

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction and other functions.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

A decrease in membrane potential, making the inside of the cell less negative.

The process of restoring the resting membrane potential after depolarization.

An increase in membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more negative.

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.

Neurons that transmit sensory information to the CNS.

Neurons that transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Neurons that transmit signals between other neurons.

The baseline membrane potential of a cell, typically negative.

Ion channels that open or close in response to changes in membrane potential.

Ion channels that open in response to the binding of a chemical messenger.

A pump that uses ATP to move sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell.

The membrane potential at which there is no net movement of a specific ion.

The process by which action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to the next.

A depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane that increases the likelihood of an action potential.

A hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane that decreases the likelihood of an action potential.

The process by which multiple postsynaptic potentials occurring in quick succession add together.

The process by which multiple postsynaptic potentials occurring simultaneously at different locations add together.

Calcium ions trigger the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters.