Structure and Function of Neurons

What is the basic unit of the nervous system?

• Synapse

• Neuron

• Axon

• Receptor

Label the Neuron

a

b

c

d

e

Myeline Sheath

Node of Ranvier

Dendrites

Terminal Button

Nucleus

Which part of the neuron contains the genetic material?

• Axon

• Myelin sheath

• Nucleus

• Terminal button

What is the role of the dendrites in a neuron?

• To carry impulses away from the cell body

• To receive impulses from neighbouring neurons

• To speed up transmission of the impulse

• To generate action potentials

Which structure allows electrical impulses to 'jump' and speed up along the axon?

• Nucleus

• Myelin sheath

• Node of Ranvier

• Terminal button

What is the primary function of the axon in a neuron?

• To carry impulses to the axon terminal

• To carry impulses to the nucleus

• To store neurotransmitters

• To process sensory information

What is the purpose of the myelin sheath?

• To store neurotransmitters

• To protect the axon from outside damage and speed up electrical transmission

• To generate impulses in the cell body

• To connect neurons

What happens during the resting state of a neuron?

• The neuron fires an action potential

• The inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside

• The myelin sheath generates an impulse

• The axon transmits a chemical signal

What must happen for an action potential to be generated?

• The neuron must be negatively charged

• The stimulus must exceed the threshold for depolarisation

• The axon must be myelinated

• Neurotransmitters must be released

Put the sequence for an action potential in order

• The cell begins negatively charged

• The cell receives stimulation from a stimulus

• The cell becomes positively charged (depolarised)

• The depolarisation crosses the cells threshold for stimulation

• An electric impulse is created that travels through the cell