Untitled Quiz

Neurons are nerve cells that transmit electrical signals, enabling internal communication in the nervous system.

An electrical signal that travels along a neuron's axon.

The electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane when it's not transmitting a signal.

A rapid change in membrane potential that travels along the axon.

The junction between two neurons or a neuron and an effector cell.

A chemical signal released at a synapse to transmit the signal to the next cell.

The long, single fiber that transmits nerve impulses away from the cell body.

Multiple shorter fibers that receive signals from other neurons.

Neurons have a cell body with cytoplasm, a nucleus, and nerve fibers.

Voltage difference across a cell membrane due to ion imbalance.

Ions whose concentration difference drives nerve impulse generation.

The neuron is the fundamental component of the nervous system responsible for information transfer.

Momentary reversal in electrical potential difference in the membrane.

Membrane proteins that actively transport sodium ions (Na+) out of and potassium ions (K+) into the neuron, maintaining concentration gradients.

Passive movement of ions across the neuron membrane through channels, contributing to the resting potential.

Difference in ion concentration across the cell membrane, driving ion movement.

Movement of ions against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Imbalance in the concentration of different ions (e.g. Na+, K+) inside and outside the neuron.

Proteins inside the neuron that contribute to the negative resting potential.

A nerve fiber surrounded by a myelin sheath, a fatty substance that insulates the axon and speeds up nerve impulse transmission.

Gaps in the myelin sheath along an axon where the membrane is exposed.

The process of nerve impulse transmission in myelinated fibers where the action potential 'jumps' from node to node.

The diameter of an axon affects the speed of nerve impulse transmission: larger diameter axons conduct impulses faster.

Myelination significantly increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission.

The swollen tip of the axon of a presynaptic neuron where neurotransmitters are released.

The tiny gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where chemical signals are transmitted.

The process where a neuron's membrane potential becomes more positive, allowing an action potential to occur. This is caused by sodium ions (Na+) flowing into the cell.

The process where a neuron's membrane potential returns to its resting negative state after depolarization. This is caused by potassium ions (K+) flowing out of the cell.

A larger axon diameter reduces resistance, increasing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. This is because there's more space for ions to flow.

The process where a layer of fatty substance called myelin wraps around the axon, increasing the speed of nerve impulse conduction.

Larger-diameter axons found in some animals, such as squid, that allow for faster nerve impulse transmission.

Having giant axons allows squid to react quickly to predators and prey, helping them survive in their environment.

The neuron that sends the nerve impulse and releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

The neuron that receives the nerve impulse after the neurotransmitter binds to its receptors.

Tiny sacs within the presynaptic neuron that store and release neurotransmitters.

Ions that trigger the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles.

Proteins embedded in the postsynaptic membrane that receive and bind to neurotransmitters.

A temporary depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane, making it more likely to generate an action potential.