Nervous system

Contains specific, fast and fleeting signals.

Junction between 2 neurons that allows the transfer of chemical signals.

Made of the brain and spinal cord. The highest level of integration of sensory input and output. Transfers signals to other parts of the body by way of the PNS.

Governs voluntary movement as well as automatic, involuntary functions.

Smallest functional unit of the nervous system. Consists of multiple dendrites, cell body, and an axon with many branches. Depends almost entirely on glucose for energy. (Can use ketone bodies but this is not ideal)

Receive signal that is to be transferred.

Contains the nucleus and mitochondria of the neuron. Cytoplasm creates disturbance in the electric field that is transferred to the axon hillock.

Space between cell body and axon. Generates action potential in all directions, including down into the axon.

Carries action potential to synapse.

Electrical potential (voltage) across a neuronal membrane at rest. (-70mV)

Mechanism by which signal travels down the neuron and is transferred to the next cell. All or none process.

Change configuration when voltage across a membrane is disturbed, so NA+ flows into the cell, further changing the voltage, and altering configuration of other channels.

Movement of NA+ into a direction to restore equilibrium as compared to the negative charge in the inside of the cell. Essentially, making the inside of the cell pos and outside neg.

Potassium channels open to restore the neg charge on the inside of the cell after the NA+ has reversed it.

Potassium channels are slow to close, and result in a potential more neg than the resting potential.

Consist of gap junctions. Fairly uncommon. Bidirectional

Space between two neurons crossed by neurotransmitters. Unidirectional

Chemicals often derived from amino acids. Attaches to the receptor for a fraction of a second. Receptors often operate through secondary messenger systems.

Support cells in nervous tissue. Can divide, and are often responsible for brain cancer because of this.

CNS macrophage. Carry out immune functions.

Epithelial cells that line the space with the cerebrospinal fluid.

Support ganglia (cell bodies in PNS).

Star-shaped. Give physical support to neurons and maintain the mineral and nutrient balance in the interstitial space.

Form myelin sheath in CNS.