1. Neurons

Question 1

What does the nervous system do?

Answer 1

Coordinates voluntary (walking) and involuntary actions (breathing)

Question 2

2 Main components of the nervous systems

Answer 2

1. Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord
2. Peripheral nervous system (PNS)—all other neural movement

Question 3

3 types of neurones and their functions

Answer 3

1. Motor - control muscle movement
2. sensory - detect stimuli (heat, pressure)
3. Interneurones—link neurones for communication (most popular)

Question 4

What is the neurone cell membrane structure?

Answer 4

Composed of phospholipid bilayer, semi permeable to ions

Question 5

What does passive transport do?

Answer 5

ion channels allow ions to move along concentration gradient (no energy required)

Question 6

What does active transport do?

Answer 6

Uses protein pumps (Na+, K+ pumps) to move against conc gradient, requires energy.

Question 7

What is a polarised membrane? What is typical resting membrane potential?

Answer 7

When ions create volatge differences. Approx 70mV.

Question 8

How to calculate membrane potential.

Answer 8

Nernst equation (see formula)

Question 9

What is an action potential?

Answer 9

Rapid change in memebrane volatge.

Question 10

What are action potential stages?

Answer 10

1. Depolarization (Na+ rush in)
2. Repolarisation (K+ out)
3. Restoration (ion gradient resets)

Question 11

Where does synaptic transmission occur?

Answer 11

Synpaspes- gaps between nuerons

Question 12

What are the two types of synaptic transmission?

Answer 12

Electrical (direct) or chemical (neurotransmitters like dopamine & serotonin)

Question 13

What are ways to record neural signals, stating one positive and negative for each?

Answer 13

1. Intracellular- electrodes inside neurone (precise but invasive)
2. Extracellular—electrodes near neurone (less invasive but lower resolution)