Chapter 12 [ EXAM #1 ] Flashcards

1
Q

action potentials (3)

A

To get electrical signal from dendrites and cell body to axon terminal

Rapid change in membrane potential that once starts moves along length of excitable membrane without loss of strength: “all or none” (-60mV does not work)
- Neurons and muscle cells

Voltage gated Na+ channels (VGSCs) open at axon’s initial segment

  • Depolarizes and triggers more to open
  • Action potential is nerve impulse: domino effect along membrane
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

threshold (4)

A

Depolarization of membrane to certain level: threshold (~60mV in neurons)

Result of local graded potentials produced by >1 stimuli

Locally summed at axon hillock

Spreads to initial segment

  • VGSCs in initial segment open
  • Chain reaction along membrane
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

threshold all-or-none principle (3)

A

Triggered when threshold reached -55mV: graded potentials result of stimuli added together

or not (subthreshold): only produces graded potential below threshold -55mV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Action Potential Generation (the 4 steps)

A
  1. ) Depolarization to threshold (-60mV)
  2. ) Rapid Depolarization: Activation of VGSCs (Na+ channels)
  3. ) Repolarization: Inactivation of VGSCs and activation of K+ channels (Kv)
  4. ) Hyperpolarization and return to normal resting potential and permeability
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Channels involved in action potential generation

A

voltage gated Na+ (VGSCs) and K+ (Kv) channels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

At resting potential, what channels are open?

A

Only leak channels are open at this phase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

1.) Depolarization to threshold (-60mV)

A

local currents, graded potential summation at axon hillock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

2.) Rapid Depolarization (3)

A

Activation of VGSCs (Na+ channels)

At threshold Na+ channel activation gates open, influx of Na+ occurs, opens more Na+ channels (up to +30mV)

Positive feedback loop

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Is sodium positive or negative charge?

A

positive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

3.) Repolarization (4)

A

Inactivation of VGSCs (close) and activation of K+ channels (open) (Kv)

Occurs at +30mV

Kv channels open slowly

K+ flows out of neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q
  1. Hyperpolarization (6)
A

return to normal

Kv channels begin to close at RMP (~ 70mV)

Kv finish closing slowly (~90 mV)

returns to rest (AP is over)

Na+/K+ ATPase works to restore ion concentrations

Na+ channels reset (ready)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define refractory period

A

time between action potential start until normal resting potential regained

2nd action potential can not form in response to normal threshold stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Absolute refractory period

A

Can not respond to any further stimulation

Maximum VGSCs open or inactivated

K+ flow-opposing force

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Relative refractory period

A

Can produce another action potential in response to larger-than-normal stimuli….why?

Some VGSCs have returned to resting state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Propagation of action potentials

A

Propagation: message passed along axon by repeating same events over and over (open voltage-gated channels etc.)

Can be continuous or saltatory

From point of generation (axon hillock and initial segment) to axon terminal action potential keeps its strength

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where does continuous propagation occur

A

unmyelinated axons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

is continuous propagation fast or slow

A

slow (2mph)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

how does continuous propagation operate?

A

local Na+ current opens VGSCs in next axon segment

every axon segment affected

message is “retold” over and over until it reaches synapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

why can’t continuous propagation travel backward?

A

refractory periods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

where does saltatory propagation occur?

A

myelinated axons of PNS and CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

is saltatory propagation fast or slow?

A

fast (250 mph)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

does saltatory propagation require more or less ATP than continuous propagation?

A

saltatory propagation uses less ATP than saltatory propagation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

how does saltatory propagation operate?

A

local currents skip internodes, depolarize nodes of Ranvier

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

how does axon diameter affect absolute refractory period?

A

smaller axon diameter = longer abs. refract. period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

what prevents continuous propagation in saltatory propagation?

A

myelin wrapped around axons = greater resistance to ion flow (few VGSCs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what are type A nerve fibers?

A

largest

myelinated

urgent 250mph

somatic sensory and motor fibers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what are type B and C nerve fibers?

A

smallest

myelinated and unmyelinated

slow 2mph

visceral sensory and motor fibers serving organs

some somatic pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what are synapses

A

non-direct cell-to-cell attachment

most neuron-neuron and all neuron-cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

where does NT travel in the context of post- and pre-synapse?

A

from the pre-synaptic cell to the post-synaptic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

what is the chemical called that is released from the pre-synaptic cell?

A

neurotransmitter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

what is an excitatory neurotransmitter?

A

depolarization results

promotes action potential

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter?

A

hyperpolarization results

opposed action potential

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what is the function of synaptic vesicles?

A

to store neurotransmitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

what is a cholinergic synapse?

A

a synapse that releases acetylcholine (ACh)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

where can you find cholinergic synapses?

A

NMJ

neuron-neuron in PNS

parasympathetic neuromuscular and neuroglandular synapses

brain

36
Q

what are the four steps occurring in a cholinergic synapse?

A

AP arrives and depolarizes at synaptic terminal

Ca2+ enters synaptic terminal, triggering exocytosis of ACh

ACh binds to receptors and depolarizes the postsynaptic membrane

ACh removed by AChE

37
Q

what is synaptic delay

A

time between arrival of action potential and post-synapic effect

reflects time of Ca2+ influx and NT release

less synapses = short synaptic delay

more synapses = more synaptic delay

38
Q

what does Ca2+ do?

A

causes release of vesicles that release ACh

39
Q

what is synaptic fatigue? what does it depend on?

A

NT cannot recycle fast enough to meet demands

depends on RER production in cell body and axoplasmic transport

40
Q

where is norepinephrine released?

A

adrenergic synapses

CNS & sympathetic nerves

41
Q

what is the role of norepinephrine?

A

excitatory and deploarizing effect

42
Q

where is dopamine found?

A

CNS

43
Q

what is the role of dopamine?

A

excitatory or inhibitory depending on the synapse

44
Q

is dopamine depleted or increased in Parkinson’s?

A

depleted

45
Q

is dopamine depleted or increased with cocaine usage?

A

increased

46
Q

where is serotonin found?

A

CNS

47
Q

what is the function of serotonin?

A

alters emotional states (e.g. chronic depression)

effects depend on receptors

48
Q

what is substance P?

A

pain

49
Q

what is the function of amino acid based peptide NTs?

A

substance P and pain nerves

50
Q

what is the function of opioids?

A

endorphins and pain reduction

51
Q

what is the function of neuromodulators?

A

affect pre- and post-synaptic cells

rate of NT synthesis

52
Q

what are the direct effects NTs have on membrane potential?

A

NT binds chemically to gated ion channel, channel opens

Ionotropic: alters ion flow through membrane

fast effect compared to indirect

53
Q

what is Ionotropic? is it a direct or indirect effect on membrane potential?

A

direct effect

alters ion flow through membrane

54
Q

what are the indirect effects NTs have on membrane potential?

A

NT bind to membrane proteins linked to G-proteins

Metabotropic: NT receptor coupled to G protein

slow effect compared to direct

55
Q

function of G protein?

A

triggers intracellular signaling cascade, turns on enzymes, etc.

56
Q

can the same NT be excitatory at some synapses and inhibitory at others?

A

yes

57
Q

how does lipid soluble gas enter the cell?

A

diffusion

58
Q

what does lipid soluble gas bind to?

A

enzymes in cytosol

59
Q

what is the role of lipid soluble gas?

A

it’s the second messenger production that affects post-synaptic cell activity

60
Q

what are the two gases at certain brain synapses?

A

NO and CO

61
Q

how many stimulus is needed for action potential formation?

A

> 1

62
Q

what determines form of action potential?

A

sum of all stimuli

63
Q

role of axon hillock

A

integrates (sums) stimuli, determines effect on initial segment

64
Q

what are the two types of summation?

A

temporal summation

spatial summation

65
Q

define temporal summation

A

summation of stimuli that occur at same synapse but at different times

66
Q

if a second stimulus arrives before the effects of the first has worn off, it is called…

A

temporal summation

67
Q

does temporal summation result in more or less NT released by presynaptic terminal?

A

more NT

68
Q

do graded depolarizations (or hyperpolarizations) increase or decrease in temporal summation?

A

increase

69
Q

define spatial summation

A

summation of stimuli at multiple synapses at same time

70
Q

what two things does the amount of depolarization depend on in spatial summation?

A

number of synapses active at same time

how far away from axon hillock the synapse is

71
Q

define postsynaptic potentials (PSP)

A

graded potentials develop in postsynaptic membrane when NT binds

72
Q

define excitatory PSP (EPSP)

A

NT causes membrane depolarization

Na+ flows in

makes more neg

73
Q

define inhibitory PSP (IPSP)

A

NT causes hyperpolarization

makes more positive

74
Q

define facilitation

A

a neuron whose membrane potential shifts closer to threshold

75
Q

if EPSPs > IPSPs, but below threshold what is the result

A

no AP

76
Q

if EPSPs > IPSPs and reaches threshold what is the result

A

AP produced

77
Q

rates of action potentials are limited by what two things?

A

refractory periods and NT availability

78
Q

what determines how the message is interpreted in action potentials?

A

frequency

79
Q

define neuronal pools

A

connected neurons in CNS responsible for a specific function

80
Q

define neural circuit

A

wiring patterns of synaptic connection in neuronal pools

81
Q

what is a diverging circuit?

A

one neuron synapses on many post-synaptic cells

amplifies signal

tree-effect

one brain neuron stimulating many muscle fibers

82
Q

what is converging circuit?

A

several neurons synapse of one post-synaptic

effective stimulation or inhibition

primarily sensory

83
Q

what is reverberating circuit

A

branches from later neurons to former ones

recycles impulses

prolongs response to stimulus

short term memory, normal breathing

84
Q

what is serial processing?

A

info relayed in stepwise manner from one neuron to another

straight line, single file

spine reflexes, sensory to brain

85
Q

what is parallel processing

A

divergence

several neurons process info at same time side by side