Ch 3 Lec 10

Question 0

Synapse

Answer 0

a functional connection between a neuron and its target(important these do not connect physically)

Question 1

Myelin sheath

Answer 1

• is a whitish, fatty layer of insulation which is derived from the glial cells
• segmented by the nodes of Ranvier(here the myelin is very thin or absent)

Question 2

Synaptic cleft/space

Answer 2

the small space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the other.

Question 3

Neurotransmitters

Answer 3

chemicals that are secreted by the neurons that can carry messages across the synapse to excite or inhibit the firing of other neurons

Question 4

What are five steps of chemical communication involves?

Answer 4

Synthesis(the process of combining things)
Storage(in synaptic vesicles)
Release
Binding(to receptor sites)
Deactivation

Question 5

Excitatory transmittery

Answer 5

• When a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor site in the postsynaptic neuron and this causes the inflow of sodium or other positively charged ions
• Leads to depolarization

Question 6

Inhibitory transmitters

Answer 6

• When a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor site on the postsynaptic neuron and this causes negatively charged ions(like chloride) to flow into the neuron.
• Leads to hyperpolarization

Question 7

Deactivation

Answer 7

• After activating or inhibiting the neuron, a neurotransmitter molecule is deactivated. This can occur in two ways

1) other chemicals in the synaptic space can break them down
2) via reuptake (they are reabsorbed into the presynaptic axon terminal)

Question 8

What are two Amino acid neurotransmitters and their properties?

Answer 8

•Glutamate
-The most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS
-Particularly important for learning and memory
•GABA
-The most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS
-Particularly important role in anxiety and motor control

Question 9

Monoamine neurotransmitters

Answer 9

•Catecholamines
 - synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine
   •Dopamine
   •Norepinephrine
•Indolamine
 -synthesized from amino acid tryptophan
  •Serotonin

Question 10

Acetylcholine(Ach)

Answer 10

• The best understood neurotransmitter
• Involved in memory and muscle activity
• Underproduction is associated with Alzheimer’s disease
• An excitatory neurotransmitter in synapse locations where neurons activate muscle cells

Question 11

Endorphins’ s primary function and disorders

Answer 11

•Primary function: inhibition of the transmission of pain impulses
-They bind to the same receptors that are activated by opiates
•Endorphin disorders:
-pain insensitivity(results from its oversupply)
-pain hypersensitivity and immune issues(result from its undersupply)

Question 12

Central nervous system(CNS)

Answer 12

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 13

Brain

Answer 13

Required for learning, thinking, language, emotion, motivation, perception of the world, etc

Question 14

Spinal cord

Answer 14

• Required for reflexive movement

* Critical role in communicating information between the brain and the peripheral nervous system

Question 15

Somatic nervous system

Answer 15

• Sensory nerves: send information from sensory organs to CNS
• Motor nerves: send information from the CNS to skeletal muscles

Question 16

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 16

• controls automatic involuntary processes

• sympathetic nervous system: arouses the body and prepares it for action
• parasympathetic nervous system: calms the body down and helps it to conserve energy