Vocabulary

Action potential

A transient all-or-nothing electrical current that is conducted down the axon when the membrane potential reaches the threshold of excitation.

Axon

Part of the neuron that extends off the soma, splitting several times to connect with other neurons; main output of the neuron.

Cell membrane

A bi-lipid layer of molecules that separates the cell from the surrounding extracellular fluid.

Dendrite

Part of a neuron that extends away from the cell body and is the main input to the neuron.

Diffusion

The force on molecules to move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Electrostatic pressure

The force on two ions with similar charge to repel each other; the force of two ions with opposite charge to attract to one another.

Excitatory postsynaptic potentials

A depolarizing postsynaptic current that causes the membrane potential to become more positive and move towards the threshold of excitation.

Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials

A hyperpolarizing postsynaptic current that causes the membrane potential to become more negative and move away from the threshold of excitation.

Ion channels

Proteins that span the cell membrane, forming channels that specific ions can flow through between the intracellular and extracellular space.

Ionotropic receptor

Ion channel that opens to allow ions to permeate the cell membrane under specific conditions, such as the presence of a neurotransmitter or a specific membrane potential.

Myelin sheath

Substance around the axon of a neuron that serves as insulation to allow the action potential to conduct rapidly toward the terminal buttons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substance released by the presynaptic terminal button that acts on the postsynaptic cell.

Nucleus

Collection of nerve cells found in the brain which typically serve a specific function.

Resting membrane potential

The voltage inside the cell relative to the voltage outside the cell while the cell is a rest (approximately -70 mV).

Sodium-potassium pump

An ion channel that uses the neuron’s energy (adenosine triphosphate, ATP) to pump three Na+ ions outside the cell in exchange for bringing two K+ ions inside the cell.

Soma

Cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus and genetic information, and directs protein synthesis.

Spines

Protrusions on the dendrite of a neuron that form synapses with terminal buttons of the presynaptic axon.

Synapse

Junction between the presynaptic terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite, axon, or soma of another postsynaptic neuron.

Synaptic gap

Also known as the synaptic cleft; the small space between the presynaptic terminal button and the postsynaptic dendritic spine, axon, or soma.

Synaptic vesicles

Groups of neurotransmitters packaged together and located within the terminal button.

Terminal button

The part of the end of the axon that form synapses with postsynaptic dendrite, axon, or soma.

Threshold of excitation

Specific membrane potential that the neuron must reach to initiate an action potential.