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Essential Neuroscience
part 1 of OCCTH 553
32
Other
Graduate
09/30/2013

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Term
synaptic vesicle
Definition
Membrane-enclosed (bubble-like) structure containing a NT and found in the synaptic terminal of an axon.
Term
axon terminals
Definition
Ends of the axon collaterals; structures specialized for communication with post-synaptic cell. Communicate either with dendrite OR cell body, but more commonly with the dendrite.
Term
synapse
Definition
Gap b/n communicating cells. Specifically: gap between the synaptic terminal of the presynaptic neuron and the dendritic spine on a dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron.
Term
axon (aka axon proper)
Definition
A nuerite specialized to conduct/transmit nerve impulses/action potentials (APs), normally away from the soma.
Term
axon hillock
Definition
A swelling of the axon where it joins the soma. It is where the axon begins and where the electrical signal is generated. There is only one of these on each neuron.
Term
axon collaterals
Definition
A branch of the axon.  Bifurcation (aka branching) can occur at any point along the axon. Electrical signal will travel down all of these and will be the same strength as when it was produced at the axon hillock.
Term
synaptic cleft
Definition
The space/gap where neurotransmitters (NTs) travel from the presynaptic axon terminal to the postsynaptic dendrite or cell body.
Term
action potential (AP)
Definition

Electrical signal of a neuron.

-> A brief fluctuation in membrane potential caused by the rapid opening and closing of voltage-gated ion channels in the neuron's membrane.

-> aka spike, nerve impulse or discharge.

-> These are caused by depolarization of the membrane beyond threshold. 

Term
synaptic bouton/terminal bouton
Definition

The end of an axon.

--> aka synaptic terminal

Contains numerous mitochondria, indicating high energy demand. 

Term
neurite
Definition
A thin tube extending from an neuronal cell body. 2 types are axons and dendrites.
Term

dendrite

 

Definition
A neurite specialized to receive synaptic inputs (via neurotransmitters) from other neurons.
Term
dendritic spine
Definition
A small sac of membrane that protrudes from the dendrites of some cells and receives synaptic input.
Term
dendritic tree
Definition
All the dendrite branches of a single neuron. Also referred to as arborization.
Term
signal direction
Definition
From cell body (starting at the axon hillock) to synaptic bouton.
Term
soma
Definition

Central bulging region of the neuron where the nucleus is found.

--> Another name for cell body or perikaryon

Term
nucleus
Definition
Centrally located in the cell body. Directs the neuron by giving instructions.
Term
myelin sheath
Definition
Phospholipid (fat) bilayer wrapped around the axon, which is seperate from the neuron and speeds up transmission of electrical signal. However, NOT all axons have this.
Term
neurotransmitters (NTs)
Definition
Chemicals released from synaptic vessicles via exocytosis, and travel across the synaptic cleft. They then bind to specific receptor proteins, causing the generation of electrical or chemical signals in the postsynaptic cell.
Term
exocytosis
Definition
Process whereby material is released from an intracellular vesicle into the extracellular space by fusion of the vesicle membrane with the cell membrane.
Term
endocytosis
Definition
Process by which a bit of the cell membrane is pinched off, internalized and converted into an intracellular vesicle.
Term
bifurcation
Definition
Dividing into branches.
Term
microglia
Definition
A category of glial cell responsible for waste management of the cell - they scavenge debris left by dead or dying neurons and remove it. Mostly found in the central nervous system (CNS).
Term
Schwann cell
Definition
A category of glial cell which provides myelin in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Produces only a single patch of myelin for a single axon.
Term
oligodendroglia/oligodendrocyte
Definition

A category of glial cell which provides myelin for myelinated axons in the CNS.

Myelinate multiple targets. If you kill this cell, you kill myelin in a large area.

Term
astrocyte
Definition

A category of glial cell (supports neurons) which is star-shaped.

FUNCTION:

-->regulates the extracellular ionic and chemical environment of the brain.

--> removes waste + brings nutrients

--> creates proper enviro for signal transmission

Term
glial cell
Definition

Cell in the nervous system which support the neurons. There are 4 categories of this type of cell.

 

Term
bouton
Definition
"button" in French
Term
arbre
Definition
"tree" in French
Term
oligo
Definition
"many" in Latin
Term
dendro
Definition
"branches" or "arms" in Latin
Term
glia
Definition
"glue" in Latin
Term
List the 4 categories of glial cells.
Definition

-astrocytes

-microglia

-Schwann cells

-oligodendroglia

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