Basic Neuroscience Terms

Front

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Back

Neuron

Front

a fatty tissue layer encasing axons; enables greater transmission speed

Back

Myelin Sheath

Front

branching extensions that receive and integrate messages

Back

Dendrite

Front

passes messages through branches to other neurons or muscles

Back

Axon

Front

support, nourish, and protect neurons; role in learning, thinking, memory

Back

Glial cells

Front

junction between axon tip of sending neuron and dendrite or cell body of receiving neuron

Back

Synapse

Front

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons

Back

Neurotransmitters

Front

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Back

Reuptake

Front

molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

Back

Antagonists

Front

molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

Back

Agonists