2 Neurons Flashcards

1
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Carry information from body to CNS. They gather information such as light, sounds and odour.

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2
Q

Inter neurons

A

They link sensory and motor neurons

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3
Q

Motor neurons

A

Carry information from the CNS to the body. They control the contraction of muscles.

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4
Q

Describe the structure of a neuron

A

Long and thin axon with myelin sheath over it. At one end there is the soma and dendrites, at the other end there are terminal buttons.

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5
Q

What are the 3 types of glia?

A

Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Microglia

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6
Q

What is the ratio of glia to neurons

A

1:1

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7
Q

What do astrocytes do?

A

They provide structural support and nutrients to neurons. Astrocytes receive glucose from capillaries and break it down into lactate which they release into extracellular fluid for the neurons to take up.

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8
Q

What do oligodendrocytes do?

A

Produce myelin sheath that insulates axons. 1 cell can produce 50 segments of myelin sheath

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9
Q

Microglia function

A

Smallest supporting cells. They clear away dead or dying neurons whilst attacking any foreign tissues.

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10
Q

What type of process is a transmission within a neuron?

A

An electrical process

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11
Q

What is the cell membrane made up of?

A

Two layers of phospholipid molecules. The head of the molecules are phosphate and the tail is a fatty acid

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12
Q

Cations

A

Positively charged molecules

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13
Q

Anions

A

Negatively charged ions

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14
Q

What molecules are in intercellular fluid

A

Potassium+ ions and Anions

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15
Q

What molecules are in extracellular fluid

A

Sodium+ and chlorine-

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16
Q

Membrane potential

A

The difference in electrical potential inside and outside of the cell

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17
Q

How is the membrane potential balanced?

A

By diffusion and electrostatic pressure

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18
Q

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

A

-70mV

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19
Q

Why is maintaining the resting potential important

A

So that the neuron can respond rapidly to a stimulus

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20
Q

What is an action potential?

A

The reversal in potential and is how information is sent through an axon

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21
Q

Depolarisation

A

Decease from normal resting potential (closer to 0)

22
Q

Hyperpolarisation

A

Increase relative to resting potential (more negative)

23
Q

How is the action potential transmitted

A

Transmitted down an axon via propagation

24
Q

How is the action potential regenerated?

A

At points along the axon where there is entry of sodium ions

25
Q

Nodes

A

Points where there is no myelin sheath, and where saltatory conduction can take place.

26
Q

How do neurons send messages?

A

Via synaptic transmission (a chemical process)

27
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers released from one neuron to attach to another neuron, initiating a reaction

28
Q

Presynaptic neuron

A

The neuron that releases the neurotransmitter

29
Q

Postsynaptic neuron

A

The neuron that receives the neurotransmitter

30
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

They hold the neurotransmitter

31
Q

Where are synaptic vesicles made?

A

Some are made in the soma and transported to the button. Other vesicles are made by recycling from those that have already released neurotransmitter.

32
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

The gap between the neurons. It is 20nm wide

33
Q

Describe synaptic transmission

A
  1. Synaptic vesicle goes towards the presynaptic membrane
  2. The vesicle docks and is attached to the cluster of protein in the presynaptic membrane
  3. Entry of calcium opens fusion pore
  4. Membrane of synaptic vesicle fuses with presynaptic membrane
  5. Molecules of neurotransmitter begin to leave terminal button
  6. These molecules attached to the presynaptic membrane are marked as omega figures
34
Q

Binding site

A

A specific site where a specific neurotransmitter binds onto and opens the corresponding ion channel

35
Q

Postsynaptic potential

A

Changes in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic terminal of a chemical synapse.

36
Q

What does the entry of sodium+ through the ion channel cause?

A

Depolarisation which causes excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

37
Q

If K+ or CL- enters through ion channels what happens?

A

Hyperpolarisation occurs, causing inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

38
Q

What happens if Ca2+ enters?

A

Enzymes are activated

39
Q

Ionotropic receptor

A

The ion channel opens when a molecule attaches to binding site

40
Q

Metabotropic receptor

A

Initiates a chain reaction that eventually opens ion channels, this requires energy and is slower than ionotropic receptors

41
Q

Termination

A

When transmitter is broken down by an enzyme. Transmitter is taken back by the presynaptic terminal via transporter molecules

42
Q

Excitatory

A

Increases likelihood of neuron firing

43
Q

Inhibitory

A

Decreases likelihood of neuron firing

44
Q

Integration

A

Summation of PSPs in control of neuron firing (action potential being produced)

45
Q

What cells do small molecule transmitters typically act on?

A

They act directly on neighbouring cells

46
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A direct small molecule that works primarily in muscles, helping with movement. It also helps with direct attention and neuroplasticity

47
Q

Dopamine

A

Released when mammals receive a reward in response to their behaviour. Also involved in motivation and decision making.

48
Q

Glutamate

A

The most excitatory neurotransmitter in the cortex. Too much results in death of neurons due to stroke or brain injury. It is important for learning and memory.

49
Q

Serotonin

A

A lack of it causes depression. Helps to manage appetite, sleep, memory snd decision making.

50
Q

Gamma Aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A

Inhibits neural signalling. If it inhibits too many cells it can lead to seizures. Plays role in brain developments and learning

51
Q

Antagonist

A

A drug that blocks a neurotransmitter (e.g Botox paralyses muscle)

52
Q

Agonist

A

A drug that mimics a neurotransmitter and enhances synapse function