Chapter 1.1

Question 1

Neuron/Nerve cell

Answer 1

The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of receptive extensions called dendrites, an integrating cell body, a conducting axon, and a transmitting axon terminal

Question 2

Glial cells/Glia

Answer 2

Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain

Question 3

Synapse

Answer 3

The cellular location at which information is transmitted from a neuron to another cell

Question 4

Four functional zones of a neuron

Answer 4

Input zone
Integration zone
Conduction zone
Output zone

Question 5

Input zone

Answer 5

The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures

Question 6

Dendrite

Answer 6

An extension of the cell body that receives information from other neurons

Question 7

Integration zone

Answer 7

The part of a neuron that initiates neural electrical activity

Question 8

Cell body/Soma

Answer 8

The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus

Question 9

Conduction zone

Answer 9

The part of a neuron - typically the axon - over which the action potential is actively propagated

Question 10

Axon/Nerve fiber

Answer 10

A single extension from the nerve cell that carries action potential from the cell body towards the axon terminals

Question 11

Axon collateral

Answer 11

A branch of an axon

Question 12

Output zone

Answer 12

The part of a neuron at which the cell sends information to another cell

Question 13

Axon terminal/Synaptic bouton

Answer 13

The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse onto a neuron or other target cell and thus serves as the output zone

Question 14

Motor neuron/Motoneuron

Answer 14

A neuron that transmits neural messages to muscles (or glands)

Question 15

Sensory neuron

Answer 15

A nerve cell that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch

Question 16

Interneuron

Answer 16

A nerve cell that is neither a sensory neuron nor a motor neuron. Interneurons receive input from and send output to other neurons

Question 17

Four categories of neurons

Answer 17

Multipolar neuron
Bipolar neuron
Unipolar neuron
Interneuron

Question 18

Multipolar neuron

Answer 18

A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon

Question 19

Bipolar neuron

Answer 19

A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end

Question 20

Unipolar neuron/Monopolar neuron

Answer 20

A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the input zone, and the other end is the output zone

Question 21

Three principle components of a synapse

Answer 21

Presynaptic membrane
Synaptic cleft
Postsynaptic membrane

Question 22

Presynaptic

Answer 22

Referring to the “transmitting” side of a synapse

Question 23

Postsynaptic

Answer 23

Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter

Question 24

Presynaptic membrane

Answer 24

The specialized membrane on the axon terminal of a nerve cell that transmits information by releasing neurotrasmitter

Question 25

Synaptic cleft

Answer 25

The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons at a synapse

Question 26

Postsynaptic membrane

Answer 26

The specialized membrane on the surface of a neuron that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron

Question 27

Synaptic vesicle

Answer 27

A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter

Question 28

Neurotransmitter/Synaptic transmitter/Chemical transmitter/Transmitter

Answer 28

The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons

Question 29

Neurotransmitter receptor/Receptor

Answer 29

A specialized protein that selectively senses and reacts to molecules of a corresponding neurotransmitter or hormone

Question 30

Neuroplasticity/Neural plasticity

Answer 30

The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment

Question 31

Axon hillock

Answer 31

The cone-shaped area on the cell body from which the axon originates

Question 32

Innervate

Answer 32

To provide neural input to

Question 33

Oligodendrocyte

Answer 33

A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system

Question 34

Schwann cell

Answer 34

A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system

Question 35

Myelin

Answer 35

The fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells. This sheath boosts the speed at which nerve impulses are conducted

Question 36

Node of Ranvier

Answer 36

A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed

Question 37

Astrocyte

Answer 37

A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions

Question 38

Microglial cells/Microglia

Answer 38

Extremely small mobile glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells