Chapter 3: Neuroscience and Behaviour Flashcards
(109 cards)
What are the two parts of the nervous system?
Central and Peripheral
Central Nervous System
Brain, Spinal Cord, Optic Nerve, Retina
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Cranial Nerves
Spinal Nerves
Automatic Nervous system
Somatic Nervous System
Neurons
The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of a cell body, dendrite, and axon.
Glial Cells
Non neuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain.
Soma
Cell body
Dendrites
Extentions of cell body what collects information to other neurons.
Axon
Tail of cell body conducting information to other neurons.
Axon Terminals
End of axon transmitting information to other neurons.
Synaptic Vessicle
Spherical sac on axon terminal containing neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitter
The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis for communication between neurons.
Synapse
An intercellular site where fast, highly localized transmission of chemical and electrical signals occur.
Synaptic Cleft
A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal.
What are the two type of Neurons?
Unipolar and Bipolar and Multipolar Neurons
Resting Potential
Difference in electrical charge (-70 milivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited.
Depolarization
The reduction of the membrane’s resting potential so that it becomes less negative. (The up after the stimulus)
Action Potential
Electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters.
Repolarization
Na+ channels close, K+ channels open, K+ efflux down electro-chemical gradient. (The down after the action potential)
Hyperpolarization
Overshoot of repolarization
Refractory Period
The time during which another action potential is impossible; limits the maximal firing rate of the neuron.
Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)
A voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane.
Excitatory PSP
A positive voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the post-synaptic neuron will fire action potentials . (closer to the threshold)
Inhibitory PSP
A negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials.
Reuptake
Reabsorption of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane.