8.1.2 Neurons and Synapses

• Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals
• What type of neuron transmits signals from the brain to muscles and glands?

  Motor neuron
• Sensory neurons carry information from sensory receptors to the brain or spinal cord.
• Relay neurons connect sensory and motor neurons primarily in the brain and spinal cord
• What does the cell body of a neuron contain?

  Nucleus and organelles
• Neurons transmit signals throughout the nervous system using both electrical and chemical mechanisms.
• What part of a neuron receives signals from other neurons?

  Dendrites
• The axon of a neuron transmits signals to other neurons or target cells
• What is the function of motor neurons?

  Transmit signals to muscles
• Sensory neurons transmit information from sensory receptors to the brain or spinal cord.
• Relay neurons connect sensory and motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord
• What is the primary function of neurons?

  Transmit electrical and chemical signals
• Match the type of neuron with its function:

  Motor Neuron ↔️ Transmits signals to muscles

  Sensory Neuron ↔️ Carries sensory information

  Relay Neuron ↔️ Connects sensory and motor neurons
• Motor neurons transmit signals to muscles and glands.
• Where do sensory neurons carry information from?

  Sensory receptors
• Relay neurons connect sensory and motor neurons, primarily in the brain and spinal cord
• What are the three main components of a neuron?

  Cell body, dendrites, axon
• The cell body of a neuron contains the nucleus and other organelles
• Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.
• What part of a neuron transmits signals to other neurons or target cells?

  Axon
• Arrange the following components of a neuron based on their role in signal transmission:

  1️⃣ Cell Body: Processes incoming signals

  2️⃣ Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons

  3️⃣ Axon: Transmits electrical signals
• What does the cell body of a neuron provide to the cell?

  Metabolic support
• Dendrites carry signals to the axon of a neuron.

  False
• Neurons are the fundamental units of nerve tissue
• What are the three main types of neurons?

  Motor, sensory, relay
• The cell body, also known as the soma, contains the nucleus and organelles to support the neuron's metabolic needs.
• Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and carry them to the cell body.
• Match the neuron component with its function:

  Cell Body ↔️ Metabolic support and signal integration

  Dendrites ↔️ Receive signals from other neurons

  Axon ↔️ Transmits electrical signals
• What are neurons considered the fundamental units of?

  Nerve tissue
• Motor neurons transmit signals from the brain to muscles and glands.
• Sensory neurons carry information from sensory receptors to the brain or spinal cord.
• What is the role of relay neurons in the nervous system?

  Connect sensory and motor neurons
• A synapse is the junction where a signal passes from one neuron to another.
• The small gap between neurons at a synapse is called the synaptic cleft.
• What are neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft called?

  Neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, changing its membrane potential.
• Steps in neurotransmission across a synapse:

  1️⃣ Neurotransmitter release into the synaptic cleft

  2️⃣ Neurotransmitter diffusion across the cleft

  3️⃣ Binding to postsynaptic receptors

  4️⃣ Signal termination by reuptake, degradation, or diffusion
• What triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft?

  Influx of Ca^{2 + } ions
• Neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
• Steps in neurotransmission across a synapse

  1️⃣ Neurotransmitter Release

  2️⃣ Neurotransmitter Diffusion

  3️⃣ Receptor Binding

  4️⃣ Signal Termination