Neuro Glossary
From NeuroWiki
A quick nerdoscience reference.
This page is intended as a repository of quick definitions. In the past, students have made lists of terms used during the course as study guides and passed them around.
Membrane Potential: This is a measure of the separation of charges across a membrane. Most living cells have a membrane potential, and many, but not all, have a negative potantial. By convention, this means that the interior of the cell is negative relative the exterior. In neurons, this potential is the product of two specific proceses:
-the export of sodium via active transport -the selective permeability of the membrane to potassium
Neuron: The single cellular unit of the nervous system. Neurons come in many shapes and sizes, but for the most part, they all recieve information via dendrites; process this information in the soma; and then transmit a signal down an axon. More here.
