Neurons Flashcards
(40 cards)
Neurons (also called neurones or nerve cells) are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system and are responsible for
the cells responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world
The creation of new neurons in the brain is called ______
Neurogenesis.
A useful analogy is to think of a neuron as a tree. A neuron has three main parts: ________,_________,__________
Cell body, axon and dendrites
The axon the output structure of the neuron;
when a neuron wants to talk to another neuron it does what?
it sends an electrical message called an action potential throughout the entire axon. The soma (tree trunk) is where the nucleus lies
What is an axon?
The long, thin structure in which action potentials are generated; the transmitting part of the neuron.
What happens after action potentials are initiated in the axon?
They travel down axons to cause release of neurotransmitter.
What is a dendrite?
The receiving part of the neuron that receives synaptic inputs from axons.
What determines whether a neuron will fire an action potential?
The sum total of dendritic inputs.
What is a spine in the context of neurons?
The small protrusions found on dendrites that are, for many synapses, the postsynaptic contact site.
What is an action potential?
A brief electrical event typically generated in the axon that signals the neuron as ‘active’.
What occurs when an action potential travels the length of the axon?
It causes release of neurotransmitter into the synapse.
True or False: An action potential allows the neuron to communicate with other neurons.
True
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the transmitting part of the neuron.
axon
Fill in the blank: The _______ receives synaptic inputs from axons.
dendrite
What is the role of spines on dendrites?
To serve as the postsynaptic contact site for many synapses.
What is reaction time (RT)?
RT is related to brain hemispheres and involves processing speed and response execution
RT is influenced by task type, motor control, and inter-hemispheric communication.
How does reaction time influence cognitive psychology?
It provides insight into mental processes, such as decision-making, attention, and memory
Psychologists use RT to study how quickly individuals perceive, process, and respond to stimuli.
What are the effects of stimulus complexity on reaction time?
It impacts processing speed
Complexity can either slow down or speed up RT depending on the nature of the stimulus.
How do attention and distraction affect reaction time?
Divided attention or distractions can increase response time
This indicates the importance of focused attention in cognitive processing.
What impact does cognitive aging have on reaction time?
Cognitive abilities, including reaction time, change with age
Older adults may experience slower reaction times compared to younger individuals.
What role do neurological conditions play in reaction time?
They can indicate potential cognitive impairments
Measuring RT helps assess cognitive function in individuals with neurological disorders.
Which hemisphere is associated with faster reaction times for language tasks?
Left Hemisphere
It is dominant in right-handed individuals for language and sequential problem-solving.
What tasks are associated with faster reaction times in the right hemisphere?
Visual-spatial tasks, recognizing faces, and processing emotions
The right hemisphere is key for responding to non-verbal stimuli.
What did split-brain studies reveal about reaction time?
Differences in RT depending on which hemisphere processed the stimulus
Conducted by researchers like Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga.
