Neurons, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators (2C)

Question 1

What is the neural synapse?

Answer 1

The region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gaps and the dendrites of the post synaptic neuron.

Question 2

What is the presynaptic neuron?

Answer 2

The neuron that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse.

Question 3

What are axon terminals (or axon buttons)?

Answer 3

The end of a neuron (presynaptic) that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse.

Question 4

What is the synaptic gap?

Answer 4

The space between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 5

What is the postsynaptic neuron?

Answer 5

The neuron that receives neurochemicals from the neural synapse.

Question 6

What is the dendrite?

Answer 6

A branched extension of a neuron (post synaptic) on which receptor sites are located.

Question 7

What is a receptor site in relation to neurons?

Answer 7

A protein molecule on the dendrites of a neuron that receives neurochemicals.

Question 8

What is a neurochemical?

Answer 8

A chemical substance that transmits neural information within the nervous system.

Question 9

What is synaptic transmission?

Answer 9

The chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurons across a neural synapse.

Question 10

What is the first step in synaptic transmission?

Answer 10

Neurochemicals are produced in the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron.

Question 11

What is the second step in synaptic transmission?

Hint- it is after neurochemicals are produced.

Answer 11

Neurochemicals are released from the axon terminals into the synaptic gap.

Question 12

What is the third step in synaptic transmission?

Hint- it is after neurochemicals are released into the synaptic gap.

Answer 12

Neurochemicals bind to receptor sites on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 12

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 12

Chemical molecules that have an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons. They enables rapid communication and are two types, either excitatory or inhibitory.

Question 12

What is action potential?

Answer 12

An electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron.

Question 12

What is the fourth step in synaptic transmission?

Hint- it is after neurochemicals bind to receptor sites.

Answer 12

Neurochemicals affect the postsynaptic neuron, either triggering or inhibiting a response.

Question 13

What is an excitatory affect?

Answer 13

When the neurotransmitter increases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential.

Question 14

What is glutamate?

Answer 14

The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

Question 15

What does glutamate do?

Answer 15

It increases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential.

Question 16

What role(s) in functioning does glutamate have?

Answer 16

It has a role in learning and memory by strengthening synaptic connections.
It also have a role in thought and movement.

Question 17

What is an inhibitory effect?

Answer 17

When the neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential.

Question 18

What is GABA? (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 18

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

Question 19

What effect does gaba have?

Answer 19

It decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential.

Question 20

What role in functioning does gaba have?

Answer 20

Gamma-aminobutyric acid.

It is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

It has a role in regulating the postsynaptic activation and prevents overexcitation of neurons. GABA can reduce anxiety and also seizures.

Question 21

What is a neuromodulator?

Answer 21

A chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons. Is longer lasting, but taking longer to activate.

Question 22

What is dopamine?

Answer 22

A neuromodulator responsible for voluntary motor movement, the experience of please and reward based learning.(which can sometimes lead to addiction)

Question 23

Where do the pathways originate from that dopamine travels along?

Answer 23

It is produced in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area which are both located in the midbrain.

Question 24

What affect does dopamine have on the postsynaptic neuron?

Answer 24

It can have either an excitatory or inhibitory effect depending on the type of receptor sites.

Question 25

What roles in functioning does dopamine have?

Answer 25

A role in coordingating voluntary motor movement and smooth, coordinated muscle movement.
A role in reward based learning.
Role in motivation which can lead to addiction.

Question 26

What is serotonin?

Answer 26

A neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep.

Question 27

Where do the pathways originate that serotonin travels along?

Answer 27

The raphe nuclei which are masses of neurons in the brainstem that produce serotonin.

Question 28

What effect does serotonin have on the postsynaptic neuron?

Answer 28

It has inhibitory effects.

Question 29

What roles in functioning does serotonin have?

Answer 29

Mood regulation and stabilisation, low levels can result in depression.
Regulates the sleep wake cycle.
Other roles depending on the receptor site and the brain area.