NUR1 200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Axon Hillock, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Schwann Cell
Document Summary
Neurons: are specialized cells capable of transmitting electrical impulses and then translating them to chemical signals. All neurons have a shape that matches their function, but all share some features: cell body or soma: the location of the nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, dendrites: are appendages emanating from the soma. These receive signals from other cells: the information is sent through the cell body to the axon hillock, axon hillock: integrates incoming signals and transmits the incoming electrical impulses down the axon. The axon hillock sums the net electrical impulse and determines whether the signal is excitatory or inhibitory. Pns: nodes of ranvier: small breaks within sheath, make conduction faster, nerve terminal or synaptic bouton (knob): enlarged and flattened structure at the end of the axon. Structure is shaped this way to maximize release of neurotransmitters: neurotransmitters are the chemicals that transmit info between neurons, synaptic cleft: space between one neuron end and the other neuron beginning.
