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Information Processing Flashcards

1
Q

Three phases of information processing

A
  1. Sensory Input
  2. Integration
  3. Motor Output
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2
Q

Sensory input

A

response to external and internal stimuli - Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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3
Q

Integration

A

Interpretation of sensory input - Central nervous system (CNS)

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4
Q

Motor output

A

Conduction of signals from the integration center to the effector cells (muscle, gland cells). PNS responsible.

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5
Q

What conducts signals through the body?

A

Signals are conducted through the body by nerves.

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6
Q

Central nervous system composed of…

A

brain and spinal cord

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7
Q

Neuron specializes in…

A

Neurons specialize in transmitting chemical and electrical signals.

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8
Q

Neurons are comprised of

A

Large cell body and fibre like extensions.

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9
Q

Two types of fibre like extensions

A

Dendrites (tree) and axons

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10
Q

Dendrites

A

Dendrites are short and numerous. They receive signals.

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11
Q

Axons

A

Axons conduct impulses away from the cell body. Axons are one long process. Some axons are insulated by a myelin sheath.

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12
Q

What’s at the end of an axon

A

Synaptic Terminal

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13
Q

Synaptic Terminal

A

Located at the end of an axon, the synaptic terminal relays signals to other cells by releasing neurotransmitters. The synaptic terminal forms a synapse.

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14
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between the presynaptic and postsynaptic (effector) cells.

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15
Q

Glial Cells

A

Also called glia cells, they are supporting cells that reinforce, protect, and insulate neurons. Glial cells do not conduct impulses.

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16
Q

Types of Glial Cells

A

Astrocytes, Oligodendrocytes, and Schwann

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17
Q

Astrocytes

A

Part of the Central nervous system, they induce the formation of tight junctions in the brain like the blood brain barrier.

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18
Q

Blood Brain Barrier function

A

The Blood brain barrier prevents most molecules from entering the Central Nervous System.

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19
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Make up the myelin sheath within the Central Nervous system

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20
Q

Myelin Sheath description and function

A

Myelin sheath is electrical insulation that speeds up nerve impulses

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21
Q

Schwann

A

Makes up myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system.

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22
Q

Nerve Signals

A

change in voltage caused by the movement of ions (sodium and potassium)

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23
Q

Why do ions move through plasma membrane?

A

Due to ionic gradients across the membrane.

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24
Q

Voltage across the plasma membrane for all cells is:

A

Between -50 to -100 mV

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25
Voltage across the plasma membrane of a resting neuron is:
about -70mV
26
Two types of ions
Anions and Cations
27
Anions inside of the cell
Proteins, amino acids, sulphate, and phosphate
28
Anions outside of the cell
Cl-
29
Cations inside of the cell
High K+ and low Na+
30
Cations outside of the cell
Low K+ and high Na+
31
How do ions cross membranes?
Through integral membrane proteins.
32
Integral membrane proteins for ions called
Ion channels
33
Ion channels are what for ions?
Ion channels are selective for ions.
34
Two types of ion channels
Passive and gated
35
Passive Channels
Passive channels are open all the time and thus don't require ATP.
36
Gated Channels
Gated Channels are usually closed and require a stimulus or voltage change to open them.
37
Describe the Resting Potential Process.
high number of passive K+ channels. K+ moves down its concentration gradient and leaves the cell, making the inside more negative and the outside more positive. Na+ also moves down its concentration gradient to enter the cell, but it does so at a much slower rate. The net flux of K+ and Na+ ions result in the -70mV resting potential.
38
What enzyme is essential to the Resting Potential?
Na, K-ATPase maintains the concentration gradients. Without it, a resting potential could not exist as equilibrium would be established.
39
What does Na, K-ATPase do?
It transports Na+ and K+ against their concentration gradients. Requires ATP.
40
For every turn of the Na, K-ATPase, what happens?
3 Na+ out, 2 K+ in, and ATP hydrolyzed.
41
Nerve impulses
Nerve impulses are changes in membrane potential.
42
Nerve impulses due to what?
Changes in membrane potential (nerve impulses) due to gated ion channels.
43
Gated ion channels cause what when open?
They cause ion diffusion
44
2 types of changes in membrane potential due to stimuli
Hyperpolarization and Depolarization
45
Hyperpolarization
K+ ion channels open due to stimulus and K+ diffuses out. More negative inside.
46
Depolarization
Na+ ion gated channels open due to stimulus and Na+ diffuses in. Inside less negative.
47
Action Potential alternative term
Nerve impulse
48
Action potential requires what?
Strong stimuli, threshold potential must be reached.
49
5 phases of the action potential
1. Resting State, 2. Depolarization, 3. Action Potential, 4. Repolarization, 5. Undershoot.
50
Resting State
Gated Channels are closed, passive channels are open (always).
51
Depolarization
Stimulus causes Na+ gated channels to open, and Na+ flows in. Results in depolarization.
52
Action Potential
If threshold potential is reached, voltage gated Na+ channels open, resulting in a large influx of Na+. This results in a large depolarization.
53
Repolarization
Na+ channels close and K+ channels open and K+ flows out.
54
Undershoot
K+ gated channels slow to close. Charge inside of the cell more negative than resting potential (-70 mV). This period is called a refractory period, where area is insensitive to stimulus.
55
Where does the action potential event generally occur?
The action potential is a localized event.
56
Where are neurons stimulated?
At the dendrites
57
Action potential propagation path
Axon >>> Synaptic Terminal
58
How does the action potential propagate?
Depolarization in one area of the membrane causes depolarization in the neighboring area.
59
How many directions can the action potential move in? Why?
The undershoot and the resulting refractory period means that the Action potential can only move in one direction.
60
another term for Presynaptic cell
Transmitting Cell
61
another term for Postsynaptic cell
Receiving cell
62
How many different types of synapses are there? which one will we focus on?
Two (Chemical and electrical). We will focus on chemical synapses
63
Presynaptic terminal contains what?
The Presynaptic terminal contains numerous synaptic vesicles that contain neurotransmitters.
64
Acetylcholine
Excitatory neurotransmitter to skeletal muscles.
65
Postsynaptic cell contains
neurotransmitter (ligand) gated ion channels for Na+, K+ and Cl-
66
First step of chemical synapse
Action potential arrives at the presynaptic terminal, where it depolarizes the presynaptic membrane. This causes the voltage gated Ca2+ channels to open and Ca2+ flows in.
67
Synaptic cleft
Gap between the post and presynaptic terminals
68
Second step of chemical synapse
Ca2+ stimulates synaptic vesicles to fuse into the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft (exocytosis).
69
Exocytosis
Fusing of vesicle into membrane and releasing something.
70
Third step in chemical synapse
Released neurotransmitters bind to ligand gated ion channels on postsynaptic membrane. Effect can be excitatory or inhibitory.
71
EPSP
Excitatory PostSynaptic Potential - Neurotransmitter binds to postsynaptic Na+ channels, causing depolarization. If depolarization is greater than threshold potential, a new action potential occurs in the postsynaptic cell. Hence excitatory.
72
IPSP
Inhibitory PostSynaptic Potential - neurotransmitter binds to K+ or Cl- channels resulting in hyperpolarization of postsynaptic cell. More difficult to reach threshold, thus inhibitory.
73
Fourth step of chemical synapse
Neurotransmitters are quickly degraded and recycled to the presynaptic cell.
74
How many directions can the nerve impulses be transmitted across the synaptic clef? Why?
Only one, the presynaptic terminal does not have any ligand-gated ion channel proteins.

Biology (5 decks)

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