Neuron Structure

Front

What is the main function of the cell body in a neuron?

Back

The cell body contains the nucleus and organelles, and it integrates signals received from the dendrites.

Front

What are dendrites and what is their role in a neuron?

Back

Dendrites are branching extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

Front

What is an axon and what is its primary function?

Back

An axon is a long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.

Front

What is the myelin sheath and why is it important?

Back

The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates axons, increasing the speed of electrical signal transmission.

Front

Define stimulus in the context of neuron function.

Back

A stimulus is a change in the environment that triggers a response in an organism, often detected by sensory neurons.

Front

What direction does an electrical signal travel in a neuron?

Back

An electrical signal travels from the dendrites to the cell body and then down the axon.

Front

What are Schwann cells and their role in the nervous system?

Back

Schwann cells are a type of neuroglia that produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system, aiding in faster signal transmission.

Front

What is the role of astrocytes in the nervous system?

Back

Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that support neurons, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and regulate blood flow.

Front

What is the difference between a stimulus and a response?

Back

A stimulus is an external change that elicits a reaction, while a response is the organism's reaction to that stimulus.

Front

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

Back

Oligodendrocytes are glial cells in the central nervous system that produce myelin for multiple axons.