Exam 1 (Ch. 1-3)

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

Information messenger

Question 2

Parts of a neuron

Answer 2

Dendrites, axon, and soma/cell body

Question 3

Nucleus

Answer 3

Contains DNA and controls hereditary aspects

Question 4

Mitochondrion

Answer 4

Powerhouse (energy) of the cell

Question 5

Chromosomes

Answer 5

DNA molecule that contains genetic information

Question 6

Ribosomes

Answer 6

Put proteins together

Question 7

What are the two types of neurons?

Answer 7

Motor neuron and sensory neuron

Question 8

Motor neuron

Answer 8

Transmits impulses from the spinal cord to skeletal and smooth muscle, and directly controls all of our muscle movements

Question 9

Sensory neuron

Answer 9

Transmits impulses from a receptor (such as those in the eye or ear) to a more central location in the nervous system (such as the spinal cord or brain)

Question 10

Dendrites

Answer 10

Branching fibers that receive neural signals

Question 11

Can neurons have multiple dendrites?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

Axon

Answer 12

Sends neural signals to other neurons, organs, or muscles

Question 13

Do neurons have one axon or multiple?

Answer 13

One

Question 14

Myelin sheath

Answer 14

Insulation that goes over axon & protects neuron signal from stopping/playing out. Without this, fine motor skills and moveability can be negatively affected.

Question 15

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 15

Gaps found within myelinated axons that allow the generation of a fast electrical impulse along the axon

Question 16

Presynaptic terminal

Answer 16

Releases neurotransmitters once the neural signal comes through

Question 17

Why do neurons vary in shape and size?

Answer 17

The shape of a neuron determines its connection with other neurons and its contribution to the nervous system. The function is closely related to the shape of a neuron.

Question 18

What happens in the resting potential?

Answer 18

The membrane maintains an electrical gradient known as polarization. When at rest, sodium (Na) leaves the cell while potassium (K) enters. The inside of the membrane is slightly negative with respect to the outside.

Question 19

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

Answer 19

State of the neuron prior to the sending of a nerve impulse

Question 20

What happens in the action potential?

Answer 20

Resting potential turns into action potential when the neuron is stimulated. This is a rapid depolarization of the neuron, where it exceeds the threshold of excitation. Once this happens, the membrane (gate) of the cell opens, and sodium (Na) is let back into the cell. The inside of the membrane is now positive.

Question 21

The sequence of events at the synapse

Answer 21

1. Neuron synthesizes chemicals that serve as neurotransmitters.
2. Action potentials travel down the axon.
3. Released molecules diffuse across the cleft, attach to receptors, and alter the activity of the postsynaptic neuron.
4. Neurotransmitter molecules separate from their receptors.
5. Neurotransmitters may be taken back into the presynaptic neuron for recycling or diffuse away.
6. Some postsynaptic cells may send reverse messages to slow the release of further neurotransmitters by presynaptic cells.

Question 22

Function of: serotonin

Answer 22

Affects mood, sleep, hunger, and arousal

Question 23

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: serotonin

Answer 23

Undersupply linked to depression

Question 24

Function of: dopamine

Answer 24

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Question 25

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: dopamine

Answer 25

Oversupply linked to schizophrenia; undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in ADHD

Question 26

Function of: acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 26

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory

Question 27

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: acetylcholine

Answer 27

ACh-producing neurons deteriorate as Alzheimer's disease progresses

Question 28

Function of: norepinephrine

Answer 28

Helps control alertness and arousal

Question 29

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: norepinephrine

Answer 29

Undersupply can depress mood and caused ADHD-like attention problems

Question 30

Function of: gaba

Answer 30

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Question 31

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: gaba

Answer 31

Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Question 32

Function of: glutamate

Answer 32

A major excitatory neurotransmitter that is involved in memory

Question 33

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: glutamate

Answer 33

Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

Question 34

Function of: endorphins

Answer 34

Natural painkiller

Question 35

Problems caused by oversupply/undersupply of: endorphins

Answer 35

Undersupply can cause abnormal pain levels

Question 36

Antagonist

Answer 36

Does opposite of neurotransmitter

Question 37

Agonist

Answer 37

Does same function/result of neurotransmitter

Question 38

Nucleus accumbens

Answer 38

Reward circuit & motivation; addiction is also found in this part of brain

Question 39

Central nervous system

Answer 39

Brain and spinal cord; It takes in sensory information, process information, and send out motor signals

Question 40

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 40

Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body

Question 41

What are the two types of peripheral nervous system categories?

Answer 41

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Question 42

Somatic nervous system

Answer 42

Controls voluntary muscles and conveys sensory information to the central nervous system (ex: writing)

Question 43

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 43

Controls the heart, intestines, and other organs

Question 44

What two types of matter does the spinal cord consist of?

Answer 44

Gray matter and white matter

Question 45

Gray matter of spinal cord

Answer 45

Located in the center of the spinal cord and is densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites

Question 46

White matter of spinal cord

Answer 46

Composted mostly of myelinated axons that carries information from the gray matter to the brain or other areas of the spinal cord

Question 47

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 47

Network of nerves that prepares the organs for rigorous activity. Increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc. "Fight or flight" response.

Question 48

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 48

Facilitates vegetative and nonemergency responses. Relaxed state/response.

Question 49

Parts of the hindbrain

Answer 49

Medulla, pons, cerebellum

Question 50

Medulla

Answer 50

Responsible for vital reflexes such as breathing, heart rate, vomiting, salivation, coughing, and sneezing

Question 51

Cranial nerves

Answer 51

Allow the medulla to control sensations from the head, muscle movements in the head and many parasympathetic outputs

Question 52

Pons

Answer 52

Arousal and attention functions. Axons from each half of the brain cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord (left hemisphere controls right side of body & vice versa)

Question 53

Cerebellum

Answer 53

Most condensed part of the brain & is responsible for coordination, balance, and movement

Question 54

Thalamus

Answer 54

Relays important information from the sensory organs to cerebal cortex

Question 55

What is the only sense that does not cross through the thalamus?

Answer 55

Smell

Question 56

Hypothalamus

Answer 56

Conveys messages to pituitary gland to alter release of hormones. Associated with behaviors such as eating, drinking, sexual behavior, and other motivated behavior.

Question 57

Hippocampus

Answer 57

Where new memories develop

Question 58

Amygdala

Answer 58

Emotional center

Question 59

Occipital lobe

Answer 59

Responsible for visual output (1/4 of brain = vision)

Question 60

Parietal lobe

Answer 60

Responsible for touch sensations

Question 61

Temporal lobe

Answer 61

Responsible for hearing and processing spoken language

Question 62

Frontal lobe

Answer 62

Personality channel responsible for movements and emotions

Question 63

Corpus callosum

Answer 63

Responsible for multi-tasking; connects both hemispheres of brain