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DAT Biology Nervous System

Terms in this set (68)

neuroglia
cells that support and protect neurons
neurons
functional units of the nervous system
dendrites
cytoplasmic extensions that receive information and transmit it toward the cell body
soma
the cell body
axon
a long cellular process that transmits impulses away from the cell body
action potentials
The form of electrical signals that the axon transmits
myelin
material of the sheath around the axon of a nerve; prevents leakage of signal and allows for faster conduction of impulses
nodes of Ranvier
the gaps between segments of myelin where saltatory conduction occurs
oligodendrocytes
glial cells in central nervous system that produce myelin sheath
Schwann cells
glial cells in the peripheral nervous system that produce myelin sheath
synaptic terminals
Ends of axon branches where signals pass to next cell.
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
synapse
A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.
astrocytes
glial cells in the central nervous system; maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier; regulate nutrient and dissolved gas concentrations; absorb and recycle neurotransmitters
oligodendrocytes
glial cells in the central nervous system that myelinate axons and provide structural framework
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