Physiology 2130 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Axon Hillock, Potassium Channel, Axon Terminal

• School: Western University
• Department: Physiology
• Course: Physiology 2130
• Professor: Carlie Bell

Document Summary

Module 4- nerves: an action potential is simply an electro chemical impulse. It is considered the language of the nervous system because it is how nerve cells communicate. Dendrites: receive incoming signals and increase surface area of cell so that it can communicate with many other neurons. The number of dendrites varies depending on the location of the nerve. Cell body (soma): control centre of the neuron, as it contains a nucleus/ other organelles to direct cell activity. Axon: carriers signal to the target cell in the form of an action potential. Node of ranvier: the axon may or may not be myelinated, which is simply a phospholipid membrane sheath warped tightly around the axon. It acts as an insulator, forcing the ionic changes to only take place at the node of. This jumping of action potential from node to node increases transmission speed. Collaterals: branching of axon near terminal end to increase number of target cells.