3.1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a neuron?

A

Cells that receive, integrate, and transmit information in the nervous system. They are powered by electrical impulses and communicate with other nerve cells through chemical signals.

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2
Q

How do neurons communicate?

A

They communicate selectively with other neurons to form neural networks.

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3
Q

Entire nervous system divided into which two units? What do they consist of?

A

Central Nervous System (CNS) - brain + spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - all other nerve cells in rest of body

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4
Q

3 Types of Neurons

A

Sensory Neurons: (afferent neurons) detect information from the physical world and pass that information to the brain

Motor Neurons: (efferent neurons) direct muscles to contract or relax, thereby producing movement.

Interneurons: Only communicate with other neurons (instead of other brain structures or body organs)

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5
Q

What are the 4 structural regions of neurons?

A

Dendrites, Cell Body, Axon, Terminal Buttons

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6
Q

Dendrites

A

Branchlike extensions of the neuron that detect information from other neurons

*Dendrites (Dentures/teeth) where food is put in and received )

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7
Q

Cell Body

A

(Soma) Site in the neuron where information from thousands of other neurons is collected and integrated.

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8
Q

Axon

A

A long narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is transmitted to other neurons.

*(Ax)on -Axes cut down branches…Axons branch out to other nuerons

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9
Q

Terminal Buttons

A

Small nodules, at the end of axons, that release chemical signals from the neuron into the synapse.

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10
Q

Synapse

A

The site at which chemical communication occurs between neurons.

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11
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

The gap between the axon of a “sending” neuron and the dendrites of a “receiving” neuron; it contains extracellular fluid.

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12
Q

What are neurons in the chain of communication referred to as?

A

Presynaptic or Postsynaptic

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13
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

A fatty material, made up of glial cells, that insulates the axon and allows for the rapid movement of electrical impulses along the axon.

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14
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Small gaps of exposed axon, between the segments of myelin sheath, where potentials are transmitted.

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15
Q

Resting Membrane Potential

A

The electrical charge of a neuron when it is not active

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16
Q

Polarization

A
  • When the electrical charge inside a neuron is different from the electrical charge outside.
  • A neuron at rest is polarized
17
Q

2 types of ions that contribute to a neuron’s resting membrane potential

A

Sodium Ions

Potassium Ions

18
Q

Permeability of cell membrane

A

Acts like a “bouncer” at a night club. Only allows certain types of ions to cross membrane. (More Potassium than Sodium is inside the neuron)

19
Q

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A

Works to increase potassium and decrease sodium inside the neuron.

20
Q

Action Potential

A

(Neural Firing) The neural impulse that passes along the axon and subsequently causes that release of chemicals from the terminal buttons.

  • Neuron starts off slightly negative–>Fires & allows more positive ions in (depolarization)—> returns to slightly negative resting state (repolarization)
21
Q

2 types of signals that arrive at dendrites

A

Excitatory: depolarize the cell membrane (reduce polarization—>increasing the likelihood that a cell will fire)

Inhibitory: Hyper polarize the cell (increase polarization—>
decreasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire.

22
Q

Propagaion

A

The wave movement when the neuron fires and moves along the axon.

23
Q

All-or-none Principle

A

The principle where a neuron fires with the same potency each time, although frequency can vary. A neuron either fires or not. It can’t “partially” fire.

24
Q

Presynaptic Neuron

A

Sends the signal

25
Q

Postsynaptic Neuron

A

Receives the signal

26
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical substances that carry signals from one neuron to another.
After they spread across the synaptic cleft and attach themselves to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

27
Q

Receptors

A

In neurons, specialized protein molecules on the postsynaptic membrane.

28
Q

What are the three major events that terminate the neurotransmitter’s influence in the synaptic cleft?

A

Reuptake
Enzyme deactivation
Autoreception

29
Q

Reuptake

A

Occurs when the neurotransmitter is taken back into the presynaptic terminal buttons.

30
Q

Enzyme Deactivation

A

Occurs when an enzyme destroys the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft.

31
Q

Autoreceptors

A

Monitor how much neurotransmitter has been released into the synaptic cleft.

32
Q

Agonists

A

Drugs and toxins that enhance the actions of neurotransmitters.

33
Q

Antagonists

A

Drugs and toxins that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters.

34
Q

9 Common Neurotransmitters

A
  1. Acetylcholine: Motor control over muscles, learning, memory, sleeping, dreaming
  2. Epinephrine (adrenaline): Energy
  3. Norepinephrine: Arousal and vigilance/alertness
  4. Serotonin: Emotional states and impulsiveness, dreaming
  5. Dopamine: Reward and motivation, motor control over voluntary movement (eating, when hungry, drinking, sex)
  6. GABA: Anxiety reduction, intoxication
  7. Glutamate: Enhancement of action potentials, learning and memory
  8. Endorphins: Pain reduction reward
  9. Substance P: Pain perception, mood and anxiety
35
Q

Monoamnines (group)

A

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine

36
Q

Parkinson’s Disease

A

Disorder marked by muscular rigidity, tremors, and difficulty initiating voluntary action.

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