Neurons

Question 0

Processes

Answer 0

elongated structures projecting from the “soma” or cell body

dendrites and axon

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

are cells that are SPECIALIZED for INFORMATION TRANSFER via modified 1) Processes and 2) Membrane

Question 2

Dendrites

Answer 2

• site of reception of incoming message
• from Greek “ Dendron” = tree, usually many tapering, diving branches, sometimes w/extra Spines
• RECEPTOR SITES along surface that interact with molecules of Neurotransmitter (NT) from other Neurons
• often have RIBOSOMES (for protein production, can be important for processing incoming message)

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

• site of release of OUTGOING messages
• each neuron has AT MOST ONE AXON,
• often long, non-tapering,
• may be MYELINATED or end may branch
• ends in Presynaptic Terminals (also called Terminal Buttons or End Bulbs) where NT IS RELEASED
• MITOCHONDRIA in Terminals FOR ENERGY-REQUIRING PROCESSES like relase/re-uptake of NT, ion pumps

Question 4

Membrane

Answer 4

• as in all cells, lipid membrane generally impermeable to charged ions and larger molecules
• neuron’s special SELECTIVE PERMEABILITY controls which chemicals enter/leave
• affects electro-chemistry
• this is done via GATES (“channels”) that open or close to let chemicals (charged IONS) pass through