Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psych > Nervous System, Neurons and Neurotransmitters > Flashcards

Nervous System, Neurons and Neurotransmitters Flashcards

(92 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

A

The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the CNS include?

A

The brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the PNS transmit signals between?

A

The CNS and the rest of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the two parts of the PNS?

A

The somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the SNS responsible for?

A

Actions that are usually considered voluntary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the ANS responsible for?

A

Activities that are usually considered involuntary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the two parts of the ANS?

A

The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A

Preparing the body for action (fight-or-flight response)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A

Rest and relaxation, returning the body to pre-emergency state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Give an example where both systems play a cooperative role:

A

The male sexual response - parasympathetic for erection, sympathetic for ejaculation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the two main types of cells in the nervous system?

A

Neurons and glia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the main parts of a neuron?

A

Dendrites, soma (cell body), and axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the function of dendrites?

A

Receive information from other cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the function of the soma?

A

Contains the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, and other essential cell components

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the function of the axon?

A

Transmits information to other cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is an action potential?

A

An electrical impulse that occurs when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How is stimulus intensity encoded in neurons?

A

By the frequency of action potentials and/or the number of neurons firing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is synaptic transmission?

A

The transmission of information between neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How does synaptic transmission usually occur?

A

Chemically, through the release of neurotransmitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the two main types of neurotransmitters?

A

Small-molecule neurotransmitters and neuropeptides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is gila’s role in the nervous systems

A

Providing neurons with structural support, insulation and nutrients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Myelin is produced by

A

gila and speed up the conduction of information through the axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What initiates the conduction of information within a neuron?

A

A neuron’s dendrites receiving sufficient stimulation from other neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the state of a neuron prior to stimulation called?

A

The resting state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the charge distribution in a neuron during the resting state?
The fluid inside the cell is negatively charged relative to the fluid outside the cell.
26
What happens when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated?
Channels in the cell membrane open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to enter the cell, causing it to become depolarized (less negative).
27
What happens when stimulation reaches a minimum threshold?
Complete depolarization occurs, triggering an electrical impulse known as an action potential.
28
What happens after an action potential occurs?
The neuron returns to its resting state.
29
How are action potentials characterized?
They are all-or-none responses, meaning they either occur or don't occur, and when they occur, they have the same intensity.
30
How is stimulus intensity encoded in neurons?
By the frequency of action potentials generated by a neuron and/or the number of neurons generating action potentials, not by the intensity of individual action potentials.
31
What is the transmission of information between neurons referred to as?
Synaptic transmission
32
How does synaptic transmission usually occur?
Chemically
33
What initiates the release of a neurotransmitter during synaptic transmission?
An action potential reaching the axon terminal (end of the axon)
34
What is the synaptic cleft?
The space between the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of an adjacent postsynaptic neuron
35
Into what space is the neurotransmitter released?
The synaptic cleft
36
What are the two possible effects a neurotransmitter can have on the postsynaptic neuron?
Excitatory (increase likelihood of an action potential) or inhibitory (decrease likelihood of an action potential)
37
How is a neurotransmitter inactivated after having its effect?
It is absorbed by the presynaptic neuron or broken down by an enzyme
38
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain's ability to modify, change, and adapt its structure and function throughout life and in response to experience.
39
What is homologous area adaptation?
When functions of a damaged brain area shift to the corresponding area in the opposite hemisphere, often negatively impacting pre-existing functions of that area.
40
Give an example of homologous area adaptation.
If the right parietal lobe is damaged in childhood, the left parietal lobe may take over visuospatial functions, impacting its normal mathematical functions.
41
What is cross-modal reassignment?
When a brain area deprived of its normal sensory input changes function to process a different sensory input.
42
Give an example of cross-modal reassignment.
Neurons in the visual cortex of a blind person processing somatosensory (touch) input instead of visual input.
43
What is map expansion?
The temporary or permanent enlargement of a cortical region due to practice/exercise, recruiting nearby neurons.
44
When does map expansion commonly occur?
When learning and practicing a new skill like playing an instrument.
45
What is compensatory masquerade?
Using alternative cognitive processes mediated by an intact brain area when usual processes from a damaged area can no longer be used.
46
Give an example of compensatory masquerade.
Relying on memorizing landmarks when spatial sense is lost after a brain injury.
47
4 types of Neuroplasticity are
Homologous, Cross-modal reassignment, Map expansion, and Compensatory masquerade
48
What are the two main classes of neurotransmitters?
Small-molecule neurotransmitters and neuropeptides
49
How are they classified into these two groups?
Based on their size and how they are synthesized
50
Where are small-molecule neurotransmitters synthesized and stored?
In the axon terminal
51
Where are neuropeptides synthesized?
In the cell body and then transmitted to the axon terminal
52
Give two examples of neuropeptides.
Enkephalin and endorphin
53
Neurotransmitters are
chemical substances that transmit information between neurons.
54
What type of effects do enkephalin and endorphin have?
They are endogenous opioids that have analgesic (pain-relieving) and euphoric effects.
55
What are some functions of dopamine?
It contributes to movement, personality, mood, sleep, and has been linked to several disorders.
56
What disorder has been linked to low dopamine levels in the substantia nigra?
Parkinson's disease
57
What disorder has been linked to excessive dopamine in the caudate nucleus?
Tourette's disorder
58
What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is due to high levels of dopamine or hyperactivity of dopamine receptors.
59
What is the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway involved in?
The brain's reward circuit and reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse
60
What areas are connected by the mesocortical dopaminergic pathway?
Ventral tegmental area and prefrontal cortex
61
What functions is the mesocortical pathway involved in?
Emotion, motivation, executive cognitive functions
62
What is the function of the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic pathway?
Hormone regulation, especially inhibition of prolactin release
63
What areas are connected by the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway?
Substantia nigra and dorsal striatum (caudate and putamen)
64
What is the role of the nigrostriatal pathway?
Key role in production of purposeful movement
65
What are some functions of acetylcholine (ACh)?
Movement, arousal, attention, and memory
66
How is ACh involved in movement?
ACh causes muscles to contract at neuromuscular junctions.
67
What disorder involves the destruction of ACh receptors, causing muscle weakness?
Myasthenia gravis
68
What areas of the brain are linked to ACh's role in memory?
The entorhinal cortex and hippocampus
69
What type of memory impairment is associated with low ACh in these areas?
The early memory loss seen in Alzheimer's disease
70
Can ACh be either excitatory or inhibitory?
Yes, ACh serves both excitatory and inhibitory functions in the nervous system.
71
Give an example of an excitatory role of ACh.
Causing muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction.
72
Give an example of an inhibitory role of ACh.
Inhibiting the release of certain other neurotransmitters in the brain.
73
Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter and contributes to
movement, emotions, learning, and memory
74
Excessive glutamate can cause cell damage and
death which is referred to as “glutamate-induced excitotoxicity”
75
glutamate-induced excitotoxicity
is believed to contribute to a number of conditions including stroke, seizure disorders, and several neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
76
Norepinephrine is an
excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in arousal, attention, learning, memory, stress, and mood.
77
According to the catecholamine hypothesis, some forms of depression are caused by a
deficiency of norepinephrine while mania is due to excessive norepinephrine.
78
What is the chemical name for serotonin?
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
79
Is serotonin excitatory or inhibitory?
Inhibitory
80
What functions does serotonin play a role in?
Arousal, sleep, sexual activity, mood, appetite, pain
81
What conditions have been linked to low serotonin levels?
Depression, increased suicide risk, bulimia, OCD, migraines
82
What has been observed with serotonin levels in anorexia?
Higher-than-normal brain levels can cause anxiety/obsessive thoughts, but restricting food lowers serotonin
83
Is GABA excitatory or inhibitory?
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
84
What functions is GABA involved in?
Memory, mood, arousal, sleep, motor control
85
What conditions are low GABA levels linked to?
Insomnia, seizures, anxiety
86
How do benzodiazepines work on GABA?
They reduce anxiety/induce sleep by amplifying GABA's effects
87
What is an agonist?
Mimics or increases the effects of a neurotransmitter
88
What is a partial agonist?
Produces weaker effects similar to a neurotransmitter
89
What is an inverse agonist?
Produces opposite effects to a neurotransmitter/agonist
90
What is an antagonist?
Blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter/agonist without producing its own effects
91
higher-than-normal blood levels of serotonin have been found in individuals with
autism spectrum disorder and individuals with chronic schizophrenia who also have enlarged cerebral ventricles and/or cerebral atrophy.
92
Some authors distinguish between direct and indirect agonists:
Direct agonists attach to receptor sites and act like neurotransmitters, while indirect agonists increase the availability of a neurotransmitter but do not attach to receptor sites.

Psych (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions