the main part of the cell where the nucleus sits. It also contains mitochondria.
Nucleus
houses the genetic material for that particular neuron.
Dendrites
branches at the top end of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.
Axon
a long branch from the cell body that passes electrical impulses down to the end of the neuron to allow it to communicate with others.
Myelin sheath
the fatty deposit that provides electrical insulation for an axon and allows electrical nerve impulses to be passed along.
Nodes of Ranvier
gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths.
Axon terminals
the end of the axon that leads to the terminal buttons.
Terminal buttons
the very end of a neuron where the nerve impulse becomes a chemical message that can be passed to the dendrite of another neuron.
Vesicles
tiny sacs that contain molecules of neurotransmitter chemicals.
Neurotransmitters
chemicals that pass messages between neurons.
Resting membrane potential
the difference in electrical potential (meaning how 'ready' the neuron is for action) on each side of the cell membrane while the cell is at rest.
Excitatory postsynaptic potential
the temporary depolarisation of a neuron as a result of positive charged ions flowing into the cell that make it more likely to fire an action potential.
Inhibitory postsynaptic potential
changes in the polarisation of a neuron that make it less likely to fire an action potential.
Action potential
the electrical trigger that passes along the axon and stimulates the neuron to activate and release neurotransmitters as a result of synaptic transmission.
Synaptic cleft
the tiny space between the dendrite of one neuron and the terminal button of another where chemical messages can be passed.
Presynaptic neuron
the neuron where a chemical messages starts from.
Postsynaptic neuron
the neuron where a chemical message travels to.
Receptors
sites on the dendrites that are designed to bond to and absorb a specific type of neurotransmitter molecule.
Reuptake
the process by which unused neurotransmitter molecules are absorbed back into the presynaptic neuron and then destroyed by enzymes.