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Physiology > The Neuron and the Synapse > Flashcards

The Neuron and the Synapse Flashcards

1
Q

What are the divisions of the CNS

A

spinal cord and brain

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2
Q

What are the divisions of the PNS

A

somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

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3
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

voluntary controls

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4
Q

What are the divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

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5
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

fight or flight

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6
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

rest and digest

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7
Q

Parts of the Brain

A

forebrain, cerebellum, brain stem

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8
Q

Forebrain

A

higher function, contains thalamus and hypothalamus

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9
Q

Cerebellum

A

fine motor movements

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10
Q

Brain Stem

A

extension of the spinal cord

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11
Q

Parts of the brain stem

A

pons, medulla oblongata, midbrain

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12
Q

Afferent

A

sensory info into CNS

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13
Q

Efferent

A

motor- exits CNS

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14
Q

Somatic (afferent)

A

from skin, retina, and membranous labyrinth

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15
Q

Visceral (afferent)

A

from thoracic and abdominal organs, olfactory epithelium, and taste buds

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16
Q

Somatic (efferent)

A

to skeletal muscle; voluntary control

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17
Q

Visceral (efferent)

A

to cardiac and smooth muscle and glands

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18
Q

Information Flow in a Neuron

A
  1. dendrites
  2. soma
  3. axon
  4. pre-synaptic terminal
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19
Q

Dendrites

A

branch-like extensions from the soma. Receive signals from other neurons. Multiple inputs to a single neuron. Electrical signals summate at the soma

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20
Q

Soma Components

A

nucleus, ribosomes, rER, Golgi

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21
Q

Axon

A

signal from initial segment to pre-synaptic terminal. Bi-direction

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22
Q

What is the charge on the interior of the neuron?

A

negative

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23
Q

Na K Pump

A

3 Na out, 2 K in

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24
Q

Depolarized

A

more positive than resting membrane potential. Inward flow of positive charge

25
Hyperpolarized
more negative than resting membrane potential, outward flow of positive charge or inward flow of (-) ions
26
Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential
resting membrane potential more positive. Closer to reaching action potential. Usual influx of Na
27
Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential
resting membrane potential more negative. less likely for an action potential. Cl influx or K effux
28
Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential
resting membrane potential more negative. less likely for an action potential. Cl influx or K effux
29
Summation
single discharge of presynaptic terminal onto dendrite does not initiate action potential. Requires Summation: spatial summation and temporal summation
30
Action Potential
Initiation of AP when stimulus reaches threshold. Fixed in amplitude, uniform shape, not graded. A regenerative signal that begins at an axon's initial segment and rapidly spreads down axon
31
Stages of Action Potential
1. Resting Stage 2. Depolarization Stage 3. Repolarization Stage
32
Resting Stage
cell is polarized- negative inside cell
33
Depolarization Stage
depolarization above threshold triggers all or nothing response. Opening of voltage-gated ion channels
34
Repolarization Stage
Na channels close and voltage-gated K channels open. Rapid diffusion of K out of cell
35
Axonal Conduction
axons carry electrical signals rapidly, efficiently, and reliably.
36
How to increase conduction speed
larger diameter, myelination
37
Saltatory Conduction
Jumping from Node of Ranvier to Node of Ranvier
38
Node or Ranvier
junction between Schwann cells. There is increased density of Na channels at nodes. Actions potential occurs at nodes
39
What happens between the nodes of Ranvier?
ions flow in and out
40
Types of Synapse
chemical and electrical
41
Chemical Synapse
majority in CNS and at NMJ. Release of neurotransmitters. Propagate current from presynaptic cell to postsynaptic cell
42
Electrical Synapse
smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Self-propagating.
43
Basic Process of Transmission
1. NT packages into synaptic vesicles 2. AP arrives at presynaptic terminal 3. Opening of voltage-gated ion channels 4. Fusion of vesicles with membrane and release of NT 5. NT diffuses across synapse and binds receptor 6. Activation of postsynaptic cell
44
Neurotransmitter Release
1. Presynaptic membrane contains voltage-gated Ca channels 2. AP at presynaptic terminal causes Ca channels to open 3. Ca facilitates fusion of synaptic vesicles with membrane 4. NT binds to receptor on postsynaptic cell
45
Consequences of NT Binding
Excitation, Inhibition
46
Excitation
Opening of Na channels. Decreased diffusion of Cl into cell of K out of cell. Changes in internal metabolism
47
Inhibition
Opening of Cl channels, increased diffusion of K out of cell. Enzymes that inhibit cellular metabolism.
48
Innervation of Muscle
one nerve can innervate several muscle fibers. Each muscle cell can only have 1 neuron. Transmission from nerve to muscle
49
What is the excitatory neurotransmitter at the NMJ?
acetylcholine
50
Post Synaptic Membrane
Junctional folds or subneural clefts. Increase surface area
51
Breakdown of Acetylcholine
1. made of choline and acetyl CoA 2. In the synapse acetylcholine is rapidly broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase 3. choline is transported back into the axon terminal and used to make more acetylcholine
52
Consequence at Nerve-Nerve Junction
May be excitatory or inhibitory. Uses a variety of neurotransmitters. Can be bi-directional transmission. Variety of receptor types. AP often have to summate for post-synaptic AP. Relies on Ca influx for neurotransmitter release
53
Consequence at NMJ
NMJ produces excitation. Uses acetylcholine. One-way signal transduction Nicotinic Receptor. AP leads to muscle contraction. Relies on Ca influx for neurotransmitter release.
54
What is the only similarity between nerve-nerve junction and NMJ?
both rely on Ca influx for neurotransmitter release
55
Myasthenia Gravis
auto-antibody binds to acetylcholine receptors inhibiting muscle activation, leading to weakness and paralysis. To treat, inhibit acetylcholinesterase so there is more acetylcholine available
56
Tick Paralysis
toxin binds to Ca receptors, preventing the release of acetylcholine. Open Ca channels by removing tick or give preventatives
57
Snake Envenomation
toxin binds to acetylcholine receptors. Acute quadriplegia, absent reflexes, muscle tremors
58
Organophosphate Toxicity
Irreversibly bind acetylcholinesterases. Causes excessive acetylcholine (nicotinic crisis), muscarinic crisis (excessive parasympathetic). Treatment: supportive care
59
Characteristics of Nerve-Nerve Junction
1. Influx of Calcium 2. Requires Summation 3. Can be excitatory or Inhibitory 4. Multiple neurotransmitters 5. Multiple receptors 6. Can be bi-directional

Physiology (16 decks)

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