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1111111 > Nerver > Flashcards

Nerver Flashcards

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1
Q

Front: What is synaptic transmission?

A

Back: Process of neurotransmitter release, receptor binding, and postsynaptic modulation.

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2
Q
A
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3
Q

What are the two types of synapses?

A

Electrical and chemical

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4
Q

How do electrical synapses transmit signals?

A

Through gap junctions and ion currents

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5
Q

What is the main advantage of chemical synapses over electrical synapses?

A

Amplification, plasticity, and modulation

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6
Q

What are the key components of a chemical synapse?

A

Presynaptic vesicles, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic receptors

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7
Q

What determines neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic terminal?

A

Action potential frequency

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8
Q

What are the two main types of postsynaptic receptors?

A

Ionotropic and metabotropic

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9
Q

How do ionotropic receptors function?

A

They directly open ion channels upon ligand binding

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10
Q

How do metabotropic receptors function?

A

They activate G-proteins and second messengers

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11
Q

What neurotransmitter is involved in both excitatory and inhibitory signaling?

A

Acetylcholine (ACh)

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12
Q

What is the role of glutamate in the nervous system?

A

It is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter

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13
Q

What neurotransmitter is mainly responsible for inhibition in the CNS?

A

GABA

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14
Q

What is the function of the synaptic cleft?

A

It allows neurotransmitter diffusion between neurons

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15
Q

How does cocaine affect dopamine transmission?

A

It blocks dopamine reuptake, increasing synaptic concentration

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16
Q

What is the primary function of astrocytes?

A

Supporting neurons and regulating the neuronal microenvironment

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17
Q

How do astrocytes contribute to neurotransmitter clearance?

A

By taking up excess neurotransmitters from synapses

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18
Q

What is the main function of myelin?

A

To insulate axons and speed up action potential conduction

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19
Q

What cells produce myelin in the CNS?

A

Oligodendrocytes

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20
Q

What cells produce myelin in the PNS?

A

Schwann cells

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21
Q

What is the role of the glymphatic system?

A

Clearing metabolic waste from the brain

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22
Q

When is glymphatic activity highest?

A

During sleep

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23
Q

What are the three main brain barriers?

A

Blood-brain barrier, blood-CSF barrier, blood-arachnoid barrier

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24
Q

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

A

To regulate the movement of substances into the CNS

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25
What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
Cushioning the brain and removing waste
26
Where is CSF produced?
Choroid plexus
27
What is the approximate volume of CSF in humans?
150 mL
28
How often is CSF renewed?
About three times per day
29
What is the role of potassium (K+) homeostasis in the brain?
Prevents excessive neuronal excitability
30
What is the effect of benzodiazepines on GABA receptors?
They enhance inhibitory signaling
31
What is the Monro-Kellie doctrine?
It states that intracranial pressure is determined by brain, blood, and CSF volume
32
What is a common cause of increased intracranial pressure?
Stroke, brain tumors, or hydrocephalus
33
34
What is the fundamental difference between electrical and chemical synapses?
Electrical synapses use gap junctions for ion flow, while chemical synapses use neurotransmitters.
35
What is the role of the post-synaptic terminal?
It contains receptors that translate neurotransmitter signals into cellular responses.
36
How do intra-neuronal synapses contribute to neural processing?
They refine, amplify, or inhibit signals within a single neuron, affecting integration.
37
What are two mechanisms by which inhibitory synapses reduce neural excitability?
They increase Cl⁻ influx (hyperpolarization) or open K⁺ channels (efflux).
38
How do modulatory synapses differ from excitatory and inhibitory synapses?
They do not directly trigger action potentials but regulate synaptic strength and neuron responsiveness.
39
What ion movement primarily drives the depolarization phase of an action potential?
Na⁺ influx through voltage-gated sodium channels.
40
What is the primary ion responsible for repolarization in an action potential?
K⁺ efflux through voltage-gated potassium channels.
41
Why does the absolute refractory period prevent a second action potential?
Na⁺ channels are inactivated and cannot reopen until repolarization occurs.
42
How does myelin increase action potential speed?
It allows saltatory conduction, where signals jump between nodes of Ranvier.
43
What are the two main categories of neurotransmitter receptors?
Ionotropic (fast, ligand-gated) and metabotropic (slow, G-protein coupled).
44
How does acetylcholine act differently in neuromuscular junctions vs. the heart?
It excites skeletal muscle via nicotinic receptors but inhibits cardiac muscle via muscarinic receptors.
45
How does norepinephrine modulate neuronal activity?
It activates metabotropic receptors, affecting arousal, attention, and synaptic strength.
46
What is the function of glutamate in synaptic transmission?
It is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, binding to AMPA and NMDA receptors.
47
What role does potassium current play in regulating neuronal excitability?
It controls repolarization and after-hyperpolarization to regulate firing rates.
48
What are the three primary needs of neurons for survival?
Oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal.
49
How did neuronal complexity evolve alongside cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
More complex brains required better CSF circulation for nutrient and waste exchange.
50
What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and where is it found?
A clear fluid that cushions and nourishes the CNS, found in ventricles and the subarachnoid space.
51
How is CSF produced and circulated?
Produced by the choroid plexus, it flows through ventricles and exits via arachnoid granulations.
52
What are two diseases associated with disrupted CSF dynamics?
Hydrocephalus (excess CSF) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (increased pressure).
53
What is the primary function of the blood-CSF barrier?
To regulate molecular exchange between blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
54
How do the tight junctions in the blood-CSF barrier contribute to CNS protection?
They prevent large or harmful molecules from entering the brain via CSF.
55
Why do circumventricular organs lack a blood-brain barrier?
They require direct blood access to regulate hormones and homeostasis.
56
What are the main functions of astrocytes in the CNS?
Regulate neurotransmitters, support the blood-brain barrier, and maintain ion balance.
57
How do astrocytes contribute to potassium homeostasis?
They absorb excess K⁺ to prevent hyperexcitability.
58
What is the primary function of oligodendrocytes?
To myelinate multiple axons in the CNS.
59
How do Schwann cells differ from oligodendrocytes?
Schwann cells myelinate only one axon segment in the PNS.
60
What happens when myelination is disrupted in diseases like multiple sclerosis?
Neural conduction slows, leading to motor and cognitive impairments.
61
What is patch-clamp electrophysiology used for?
Measuring ionic currents through individual ion channels.
62
How does optogenetics help in studying neural circuits?
It uses light to activate or inhibit specific neurons expressing light-sensitive proteins.
63
What is the advantage of two-photon microscopy in neuroscience?
It allows deep tissue imaging of live neurons with minimal damage.
64
What is the main principle of calcium imaging in neurons?
It tracks intracellular calcium changes to monitor neuronal activity.
65
How do fMRI and PET scans differ in studying brain function?
fMRI detects blood flow changes (oxygen levels), while PET tracks metabolic activity using radioactive tracers.
66
What is the purpose of using EEG in neuroscience?
It records electrical activity in the brain to study neuronal oscillations and brain states.
67
What role do genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) play in neuroscience?
They allow visualization of membrane potential changes in neurons in real time.
68
What is the use of DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs)?
They selectively modulate neuronal activity using synthetic ligands.

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