Nervous Tissue Flashcards

Study Notes

Nervous Tissue Components

Axon: Long projection from a neuron that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.
Neurons: Fundamental units of the nervous system responsible for processing and transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.
Dendrites: Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons and convey this information to the cell body.
Neuroglia ("Dark Spots"): Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide structural and functional support to neurons.

Axon Structure and Function

Axon Hillock: The cone-shaped region at the base of the axon where action potentials are initiated; plays a crucial role in determining whether signals will proceed along the axon.
Myelinated Nerve Fiber: An axon wrapped in myelin sheaths, which enhances the speed of nerve impulse conduction.
Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid signal transmission via saltatory conduction.

Synaptic Transmission

Axon Terminal of Presynaptic Neuron: The endpoint of the axon that makes contact with the postsynaptic neuron, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
Synaptic Vesicles Containing Neurotransmitters: Small membrane-bound structures in axon terminals that store and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft for communication between neurons.
Synaptic Cleft: The small gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where neurotransmitters cross to transmit signals.
Postsynaptic Neuron: The neuron that receives the signal after neurotransmitters bind to receptors on its membrane.

Cell Body and Nucleus

Cell Body: Contains the nucleus and organelles; integrates signals received from dendrites and contains the metabolic machinery of the neuron.
Nucleus: Houses the cell's genetic material (DNA) and coordinates activities such as growth, metabolism, and protein synthesis.

Additional Neuroglia Information

Neuroglia: Comprises non-neuronal cells in the nervous system, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, involved in maintaining homeostasis and supporting neuronal function.
Schwann Cell: A type of glial cell involved in the formation of myelin in the peripheral nervous system, supporting and insulating axons.
Schwann Cell's Myelin: The segmented myelin sheath produced by Schwann cells, crucial for efficient nerve signal transmission.

Description

Explore the essential components of nervous tissue with these flashcards. Each card provides a key term related to neurons and their structures, helping you reinforce your understanding of the nervous system. Perfect for students studying anatomy or neurobiology.