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Brain and Behavior > Chapter 5 > Flashcards

Chapter 5 Flashcards

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1
Q

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A

First neurotransmitter discovered in the PNS and CNS; activates skeletal muscles in the SNS; either excites or inhibits internal organs in the ANS

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2
Q

Epinephrine (EP)

A

Chemical messenger that acts as a neurotransmitter in the CNS and as a hormone to mobilize the body for fight and flight during times of stress; also known as adrenaline

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3
Q

Norepinephrine (NE)

A

Neurotransmitter that accelerates heart rate in mammals; found in the brain and in the sympathetic division of the ANS; also known as noradrenaline

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4
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Chemical with an excitatory or inhibitory effect when released by a neuron onto a target

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5
Q

Synaptic vesicle

A

Membranous compartment that encloses a fixed number (a quantum) of neurotransmitter molecules

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6
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

Gap separating the neuronal presynaptic membrane from the postsynaptic membrane

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7
Q

Tripartite synapse

A

Functional integration and physical proximity of the presynaptic membrane, postsynaptic membrane, and their intimate association with surrounding astrocytes

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8
Q

Chemical synapse

A

Junction at which messenger molecules are released when stimulated by an action potential

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9
Q

Presynaptic membrane

A

Axon terminal membrane on the transmitter, or output, side of a synapse

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10
Q

Postsynaptic membrane

A

Membrane on the transmitter, or input, side of a synapse

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11
Q

Storage granule

A

Membranous compartment that holds several vesicles containing a neurotransmitter

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12
Q

Anterograde synaptic transmission

A

Process that occurs when a neurotransmitter is released from a presynaptic neuron and binds to a receptor on the postsynaptic neuron

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13
Q

Parkinson disease

A

Motor system disorder correlated with dopamine loss in the substantia nigra; characterized by tremors, muscular rigidity, and reduction in voluntary movement

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14
Q

Dopamine (DA)

A

Amine neurotransmitter involved in coordinating movement, attention, learning, and reinforcing behaviors

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15
Q

Transporter

A

Protein molecule that pumps substances across a membrane

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16
Q

Exocytosis

A

An active process by which chemical substances are carried in vesicles to the outer cell membrane, fuse with it, and release their contents

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17
Q

Transmitter-activated receptor

A

Protein that has a binding site for a specific neurotransmitter and is embedded in the membrane of a cell

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18
Q

Ionotropic receptor

A

Embedded membrane protein; acts as (1) a binding site for a neurotransmitter and (2) a pore that regulates ion flow to directly and rapidly change membrane voltage

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19
Q

Metabotropic receptor

A

Embedded membrane protein with a binding site for a neurotransmitter linked to a G protein; can affect other receptors or act with second messengers to affect other cellular processes, including opening a pore

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20
Q

Autoreceptor

A

Self-receptor in a neuronal membrane, which responds to the same transmitter released by the neuron; part of a negative feedback loop allowing the neuron to adjust its output

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21
Q

Quantum (pl. quanta)

A

Number of neurotransmitter molecules, equivalent to the content of a single synaptic vesicle, that produces a just-observable change in the depolarizations of the postsynaptic terminal

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22
Q

Gap junction

A

Area of contact between adjacent cells in which connexin proteins in each cell form connecting hemichannels; when open, the hemichannels allow ions to pass between the two cells. Also called an electrical synapse

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23
Q

Reuptake

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A

Inactivation of a neurotransmitter when membrane transporter proteins bring the transmitter back into the presynaptic axon terminal for reuse

24
Q

Small-molecule transmitter

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A

Quick-acting neurotransmitter synthesized in the axon terminal from products derived from the diet

25
Rate-limiting factor
Any chemical in limited supply that restricts the pace at which another chemical can be synthesized
26
Histamine (H)
Neurotransmitter that controls arousal and waking; important in immune response, but can cause the constriction of smooth muscles; when activated in allergic reactions, constricts airway and contributes to asthma
27
Serotonin (5-HT)
Amine neurotransmitter; helps to regulate mood and aggression, appetite and arousal, perception of pain, and respiration
28
Glutamate (Glu)
Amino acid neurotransmitter; typically opens Na+ and Ca2+ channels and therefore excites neurons
29
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Amino acid neurotransmitter; typically opens Cl- channels and therefore inhibits neurons
30
Neuropeptide
Short, multifunctional amine acid chain (fewer than 100 amino acids); acts as a neurotransmitter and can act as a hormone; may contribute to learning
31
Endocannabinoid
Class of liquid neurotransmitters, including anandamide and 2-AG, synthesized at the postsynaptic membrane to act on receptors at the presynaptic membrane; affects appetite, pain, sleep, mood, memory, anxiety, and the stress response
32
Nitric oxide (NO)
Gaseous neurotransmitter; acts, for example, to dilate blood vessels, aid digestion, and activate cellular metabolism
33
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Gaseous neurotransmitter; activates cellular metabolism
34
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
Gaseous neurotransmitter; slows cellular metabolism
35
Zinc
Ion transmitter that is packaged and stored in vesicles and when released, interacts with several receptors
36
G protein
Guanyl nucleotide-binding protein coupled to a metabotropic receptor; when activated, binds to other proteins
37
Subunit
Protein molecule that assembles with other protein mulecules
38
Second messenger
Chemical that initiates a biochemical process when activated by a neurotransmitter (the first messenger)
39
Cholinergic neuron
Neuron that uses acetylcholine as its main neurotransmitter; cholinergic applies to any neuron that uses ACh as its main transmitter
40
Activating system
Neural pathways that coordinate brain activity through a single neurotransmitter. Its cell bodies lie in a brainstem nucleus; axons are distributed through a wide CNS region
41
Alzheimer disease
Degenerative brain disorder related to aging; first appears as progressive memory loss and later develops into generalized dementia
42
Schizophrenia
Behavioral disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, blunted emotion, agitation or immobility, and a host of associated symptoms
43
Noradrenergic neuron
From adrenaline, Latin for epinephrine; a neuron containing norepinephrine
44
Major depression
Mood disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of worthlessness and guilt, the disruption of normal eating habits, sleep disturbances, a general slowing of behavior, and frequent thoughts of suicide
45
Mania
Disordered mental state of extreme excitement
46
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Behavior characterized by compulsively repeated acts (such as hand washing) and repetitive, often unpleasant, thoughts (obsessions)
47
Neuromodulators
Neurotransmitters that alter the firing and synaptic characteristics of other neurons typically over an extended period
48
Peptide hormone
Chemical messenger translated from cellular RNA; a short string of amino acids
49
Amino acid hormone
Chemical messenger derived from amino acid, most commonly tyrosine
50
Lipid hormone
Chemical messenger derived from lipids such as arachidonic acid, which acts on membrane receptors; also known as eicosanoids
51
Steroid hormone
Fat-soluble chemical messenger synthesized from cholesterol
52
Homeostatic hormone
One of a group of hormones that maintain internal metabolic balance and regulate physiological systems in an organism
53
Gonadal (sex) hormone
One of a group of hormones, such as testosterone, that control reproductive functions and strongly influence sexual appearance as male or female
54
Glucocorticoid
One of a group of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, secreted in times of stress; important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism
55
Anabolic steroid
Class of synthetic hormones related to testosterone that have both muscle-building (anabolic) and masculinizing (androgenic) effects; also called anabolic-androgenic steroid

Brain and Behavior (14 decks)

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