3 The Concept Of The Synapse Flashcards
(36 cards)
gaps between neurons
where neurons communicate by transmitting chemicals ]
synpase
automatic muscular responses to stimuli
reflexes
circut from sensory neuron to muscle response
reflex arc
repeated stimuli within a brief time have cumulative effect
light pinch of a dog’s foot
temporal summation
the cell that receives a message
postsynaptic neuron
the cell that delivers a message
pre-synaptic neuron
glands that produce hormones
endocrine glands
epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin, and oxytocin serve both as ________ & ________
neurotransmitters, hormones
a neurotransmitter does not linger at postsynaptic membrane it:
either inactivated or reabsorbs (reuptake)
in certain brain areas, presynaptic neuron takes up most of the released neurotransmitter molecules intact and reuses them
reuptake
graded depolarization; occurs when sodium ion enter the cell
excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
synaptic inputs from various locations combine their effects on a neuron
several small stimuli on a similar location produced a reflex when a single stimuli didn’t
spatial summation
spatial summation is critical to brain functioning
each neuron recieves many incoming axons that frequently produce _______ responses
synchronized
temporal and spatial summation ordinarily occur _____
together
input from an axon hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic cell
inhibitory synapses
occurs when the synaptic input selectively opens the channel fro potassium ions to leave the cell or for chloride ions to enter the cell
inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
periodic reprouction of action potentials even without synaptic input
spontaneous firing rate
IPSP ______ # of action potentials about spontaneous firing rate
decrease
EPSP _______ # of action potentials about spontaneous firing rate
increase
sequence of chemical events:
synthesize, action potential, neurotransmitters released at synaptic cleft, diffuse, separate, reuptake, reverse message
synthesize, action potential, neurotransmitters released at synaptic cleft, diffuse, separate, reuptake, reverse message
chemicals released by one neuron that affect a secon neuron
neurotransmitter
tiny packets that store high concentrations of neurotransmitters
vesicles
effects that begin quickly and last for very brief period of time
excitatory- glutamate
inhibitory- GABA
ionotropic effects
initiates a series of metabolic reactions; slower and longer lasting than the other effects
metabotropic effects
