Nerve Physiology Quiz

Nervous System Components

• The nervous system consists of multiple components, including neurons, glial cells, and others.

Resting Membrane Potential

• The resting membrane potential is the electrical potential difference across the cell membrane when the neuron is not stimulated, typically around -70mV.

Neuroglia Function

• Neuroglia, or glial cells, provide support and maintenance functions for neurons, including supplying oxygen and nutrients, removing waste, and providing structural support.

Synapse Comparison

• Electrical synapses: direct, gap-junction-mediated communication between neurons, allowing simultaneous activity.
• Chemical synapses: indirect communication, using neurotransmitters to transmit signals between neurons.

Neurotransmitter Categories

• The three major categories of neurotransmitters are:
  • Excitatory neurotransmitters (e.g., glutamate, aspartate)
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA, glycine)
  • Modulatory neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, serotonin)

Nerve Impulse Conduction

• The node of Ranvier in myelinated axons is responsible for conducting nerve impulses in only one direction in the ventral and dorsal spinal nerves.

Non-Nervous System Component

• The blood is not a component of the nervous system.

Axonal Transport

• Fast axonal transport involves rapid, microtubule-dependent movement of organelles and vesicles.
• Slow axonal transport involves slower, actin-dependent movement of cytoskeletal elements.

Synaptic Transmission

• Neurotransmitters are responsible for transmitting information between neurons at a synapse.