Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /PSYC 2200 - Brain and Behaviour Lecture 2: The Microstructure of the Brain Part 1
PSYC 2200 - Brain and Behaviour Lecture 2: The Microstructure of the Brain Part 1
This deck covers key concepts from the lecture on the microstructure of the brain, focusing on neurons, their components, and their functions within the nervous system.
What are neurons, and what role do they play in the nervous system?
Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are the basic units of the nervous system. Neurons transmit electrical and chemical signals between each other, allowing for the rapid communication needed for various functions within the body. (collect, conduct, and transmit information)
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
What are neurons, and what role do they play in the nervous system?
Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are the basic units of the nervous system. Neurons transmit electrical and chemical signals between each other, al...
How many neurons are present in the human brain?
The human brain contains a large number of neurons, ranging from approximately 100 to 200 billion neurons (about 1-2 x 10¹¹ neurons).
How do neurons differ from other cells in the body?
Subtypes: There are thousands of different types of neurons, each differing in their location, appearance, connections, physiological characteristics,...
What are the main components of the nervous system?
Neurons: Responsible for the transmission of information through electrical and chemical signals. Glial Cells (Glia): These cells support neurons. The...
What is the primary function of neurons in the nervous system?
Neurons are primarily responsible for conveying information within the nervous system. - They do this through electrical and chemical signals, allowin...
What is the function of glial cells in the nervous system?
Primarily involved in supporting and maintaining the environment for neurons, assisting in the protection and insulation of neurons, and regulating th...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What are neurons, and what role do they play in the nervous system? | Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are the basic units of the nervous system. Neurons transmit electrical and chemical signals between each other, allowing for the rapid communication needed for various functions within the body. (collect, conduct, and transmit information) |
How many neurons are present in the human brain? | The human brain contains a large number of neurons, ranging from approximately 100 to 200 billion neurons (about 1-2 x 10¹¹ neurons). |
How do neurons differ from other cells in the body? | Subtypes: There are thousands of different types of neurons, each differing in their location, appearance, connections, physiological characteristics, and functions. Terminal Differentiation: They lose the ability to reproduce themselves, unlike other cells that can regenerate. Oxygen Sensitivity: Neurons are highly sensitive to a lack of oxygen. If deprived of oxygen for just a few minutes, they lose viability |
What are the main components of the nervous system? | Neurons: Responsible for the transmission of information through electrical and chemical signals. Glial Cells (Glia): These cells support neurons. There are about ten times more glial cells than neurons in the brain. |
What is the primary function of neurons in the nervous system? | Neurons are primarily responsible for conveying information within the nervous system. - They do this through electrical and chemical signals, allowing for rapid communication between neurons. |
What is the function of glial cells in the nervous system? | Primarily involved in supporting and maintaining the environment for neurons, assisting in the protection and insulation of neurons, and regulating the extracellular environment. |
How do neurons transmit information between each other? | Neurons transmit information through a combination of electrical and chemical signals. Electrical signals are used to propagate the information within a single neuron. Chemical signals (in the form of neurotransmitters) are used to carry information from one neuron to another at synapses. |
What are the four morphologically defined regions of a neuron? | Cell Body (Soma or Perikaryon): The metabolic and genomic hub of the neuron. Dendrites: Branching processes that receive information from other neurons. Axon: A long cylindrical process that propagates information away from the cell body. Presynaptic Terminals (Synaptic Boutons): Specialized enlarged regions at the end of the axon that terminate near the dendrites or cell body of another neuron |
What does the nucleus contain, and what is its function? | Contains 46 chromosomes. It carries the instructions for producing proteins vital for neuron function. |
What is the function of the plasma membrane? | It is thin, around 10 nm in thickness, and highly organized to regulate what enters and exits the cell. |
What are key organelles? | Mitochondria (for ATP production), lysosomes (for cellular digestion), Golgi apparatus (for processing proteins), endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ribosomes (for protein synthesis) |
What are Nissl bodies (Nissl substances)? | Concentrated areas of rough ER and ribosomes within the soma and dendrites, crucial for synthesizing proteins. They are absent in the axon and axon hillock. |
What colours and metals are found in some neurons? | Pigments: dopamine (substantia nigra) or norepinephrine (locus ceruleus). Metals: zinc, copper, and iron |
What are dendrites, and their functions? | Branched, tree-like extensions from the soma and serve as the primary receptive areas for receiving signals from other neurons. Contains Nissl bodies to engage in protein synthesis |
What is the dendrite tree? | The main dendrite (called a primary dendrite or 1st order dendrite) extends from the soma, and this can branch further into 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and even 5th order dendrites. Increases the surface area of the neuron, which is critical for making synaptic connections. |