Neurons: Structure and Function

• S.A.D. helps remember neurotransmitters

Soma (Cell Body)

• The soma is the cell's life support center and headquarters by controlling everything
• Use "ma" to remember mother inside the cell body

Dendrites

• Dendrites receive messages from other cells and get signals from muscles and other neurons
• They are branches coming out of the soma
• Dendrites receive signals from neurons and muscles.

Axon

• The axon passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons
• Axons carry messages away from the soma.

Myelin Sheath

• The myelin sheath protects the axon and speeds signals up as they travel down the axon
• Myelin Sheath = "my yelling sheep."

Nodes of Ranvier

• Nodes of Ranvier are the spaces between the myelin sheath
• As the signal travels down the axon, it jumps from one node to another

Synaptic Vesicles

• Synaptic vesicles are located at the end of the axon
• They contain neurotransmitters

Synapse

• The synapse is found at the axon's end
• Synapse denotes the space between one neuron and another or between a neuron and a muscle

Neuron Resting State

• When a neuron is in its resting state, the ions inside the neuron are negatively charged, and those outside are positively charged
• "Neg-in" and "pos-out" helps to remember the resting state.

Neuron Action Potential

• During action potential, think "the opposite of resting"

Serotonin

• Controls depression
• Consider “Sir Rotten," who is always depressed

Dopamine

• Motivates movement, learning, and attention
• Low levels are linked to Parkinson's, with tremors as the engine runs