4.01 Neurons and synapses

Question 1

a network of cells that carry info to and from all parts of the body

Answer 1

nervous system

Question 2

broad science that explores the structures and functions of the brain, enruons, nerves and nervous tissue

Answer 2

neuroscience

Question 3

___ psychology, also called behavioral neuroscience, focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes

Answer 3

biological

Question 4

first doctor to imagine that the nervous system was made up of individual cells

Answer 4

Ramon y Cajal

Question 5

neuron structures that receive signals from other neurons

Answer 5

dendrites

Question 6

neuron structures that is the cell body

Answer 6

soma

Question 7

neuron structures that carry signals out of the cell

Answer 7

axons

Question 8

neuron structures that insulate axons and make signal transmission more efficient

Answer 8

myelin sheath

Question 9

__ cells serve many support functions in the nervous system

Answer 9

glial

Question 10

8 functions of glial cells

Answer 10

• provide structure where neurons can develop
• hold neurons in place
• guide migrating neurons to form the outer layers of the brain
• get nutrients to neurons
• clean up remains of dead neurons
• provide insulation for neurons by making myelin
• control synaptic connectivity during development
• assist in learning and memory

Question 11

major __ disorder is characterized by lower numbers of specific glial cells

Answer 11

depressive

Question 12

___ is a disease characterized by higher numbers of specific glial cells

Answer 12

schizophrenia

Question 13

glial cells that produce myelin for the brain and spinal cord

Answer 13

oligodendrocytes

Question 14

glial cells that produce myelin for the neurons of the body

Answer 14

Schwann cells

Question 15

two components of the central nervous system

Answer 15

brain and spinal cord

Question 16

neurons of the body make up the __ nervous system

Answer 16

peripheral

Question 17

term for myelin-coated axons in the central nervous system

Answer 17

tracts

Question 18

term for myelin-coated axons in the peripheral nervous system

Answer 18

bundles

Question 19

axons in the (CNS or PNS?) are more likely to be permanently damaged

Answer 19

CNS

Question 20

small sections of axons that are not covered by myelin

Answer 20

nodes

Question 21

disease in which the myelin sheath is destroyed, which leads to loss of neural functioning in damaged cells

Answer 21

multiple sclerosis

Question 22

a neuron that is not firing is at __

Answer 22

rest

Question 23

a charged particle

Answer 23

ion

Question 24

resting potential of most cells

Answer 24

-70 millivolts

Question 25

describes a cell membrane that allows some substances to cross, but not others

Answer 25

semipermeable

Question 26

a short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory

Answer 26

action potential

Question 27

different in charge across a cell mebrane

Answer 27

electrical potential

Question 28

5 steps in an action potential

Answer 28

1. resting potential 2. threshold 3. action potential 4. hyperpolarization 5. resting potential

Question 29

two things a strong message can do to affect neuron firing

Answer 29

- make the neuron fire repeatedly | - make more neurons fire

Question 30

molecule that carries a message across the synapse

Answer 30

neurotransmitter

Question 31

sac full of neurotransmitters at the presynaptic terminal

Answer 31

synaptic vesicle

Question 32

fluid-filled space between neurons

Answer 32

synapse

Question 33

a "gate" on a dendrite ion channel

Answer 33

receptor site

Question 34

synapses that activate cells

Answer 34

excitatory synapses

Question 35

synapses that turn cells "off"

Answer 35

inhibitory synapses

Question 36

a chemical that blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter

Answer 36

antagonist

Question 37

a chemical that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter

Answer 37

agonist

Question 38

neurotransmitter that activates skeletal muscle

Answer 38

acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 39

acetylcholine antagonist, prevents muscles from contracting

Answer 39

curare

Question 40

acetylcholine agonist, causes convulsions

Answer 40

black widow spider venom

Question 41

neurotransmitter involved in movement and pleasure

Answer 41

dopamine

Question 42

disease characterized by low levels of dopamine

Answer 42

Parkinson's

Question 43

disease characterized by high levels of dopamine

Answer 43

schizophrenia

Question 44

neurotransmitter associated with sleep, mood, anxiety and appetite

Answer 44

serotonin

Question 45

low levels of serotonin are associated with __

Answer 45

depression

Question 46

excitatory neurotransmitter that plays an important role in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity; after injury or disease, it is associated with cell death

Answer 46

glutamate

Question 47

the ability of the brain to change connections among its neurons

Answer 47

synaptic plasticity

Question 48

an inhibitory neurotransmitter that can calm anxiety

Answer 48

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Question 49

a GABA agonist, which can have a calming effect

Answer 49

alcohol

Question 50

a group of neuropeptides that prevent cells from firing pain signals

Answer 50

endorphins

Question 51

class of drugs that are addictive because they prevent addicts from producing endorphins (causing an inability to control pain without the drugs)

Answer 51

opiates (morphine and heroin)

Question 52

process during which neurotransmitters stay in the synapse and are taken back into the presynaptic neuron

Answer 52

reuptake

Question 53

drug that blocks the reuptake of dopamine, causing users to be happy longer, as the dopamine lingers in the synapse

Answer 53

cocaine

Question 54

process by which neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes

Answer 54

enzymatic degradation

Question 55

diazepam (Valium) is an antianxiety medication and an agonist for __

Answer 55

GABA

Question 56

SSRI

Answer 56

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; drug that prevents the reuptake of serotonin and improves modd