Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

NEU211 Intro to Neuro > The Synapse and Neurotransmitters > Flashcards

The Synapse and Neurotransmitters Flashcards

Exam 2

1
Q

What is the purpose of the synapse?

A

The site of information flow from one neuron to another neuron

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

Site of communication from a neuron to (2)

A
  1. Another neuron
  2. Effector (muscle cell)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Presynaptic neuron

A

Neuron that SENDS impulses through the synapse

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

Postsynaptic neuron

A

Neuron that RECEIVES information from the synapse

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

Each ______ of a dendrite has its own _______

A

spine; synapse

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

What are the two types of synapses?

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

Electrical Synapse

A

Gap junctions; DIRECT FLOW from neuron to neuron

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

Chemical synapse

A

Synaptic cleft requires neurotransmitters to transmit signals; SPACE INBETWEEN

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

Electrical synapses are used for ____________ of cell groups

A

synchronicity

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

There is a greater diversity at chemical synapses because

A

Different neurotransmitters can have different effects

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

Are there more electrical or chemical synapses?

A

Chemical

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

What are the paired channels in Electrical synapses called?

A

Connexons

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

What are the proteins that make up the paired channels?

A

Connexins

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

Electrical synapses allow a direct or indirect flow?

A

Direct

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

A place in the brain that uses electrical synapses is?

A

The Pons/Medulla

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

Why do the pons and the medulla use electrical synapses?

A

Regulating heartbeat and breathing is a synchronous process, which means that all nerves must fire at once

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

What are the three types of chemical synapses?

A
  1. Axosomatic
  2. Axodendritic
  3. Axoaxonal
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Axosomatic synapses

A

Axon attaches to cell bodies

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

Axodendritic synapses

A

Axon to dendrite

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

Axoaxonal synapses

A

Axon to axon

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

What is the most common chemical synapse?

A

Axodendritic synapses

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

Synaptic vesicles are specialized to release _________ into the synapse

A

Neurotransmitters

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

Two parts of Chemical synapses

A
  1. Axon terminal of postsynaptic neurons
  2. NTs receptor region on postsynaptic neurons
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

Fluid-filled space between the pre and post synaptic neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
NTs can be ________________ or ________________
Inhibitory or excitatory
26
What channels are in the receptors?
ligand-gate
27
Excitatory NTs cause
depolarization
28
Inhibitory NTs cause
hyperpolarization
29
Steps of synaptic transmission (5)
1. Action Potential arrives at the axon terminal 2. VG Ca2+ channels open and Ca2+ enters the axon 3. Ca2+ entry causes synaptic vesicles to release NT by exocytosis 4. NTs diffuse across the synapse 5. Binding of NTs opens ion channels, resulting in graded potentials
30
Is there one or many types of NTs in the synaptic vesicles?
Many types
31
Without certain ______, the certain NTs will be ineffective
Receptors
32
Two types of post synaptic potentials
1. EPSP 2. IPSP
33
EPSP
Excitatory postsynaptic potential
34
EPSP leads to ______
depolarization
35
IPSP
Inhibitory postsynaptic potential
36
IPSP leads to _______
Hyperpolarization
37
A strong enough excitatory cell can cause an
action potential
38
Two types of summation
1. Temporal 2.Spatial
39
Temporal summation
1 presynaptic neuron; rapid repeat EPSPs in the SAME location; add and sum to produce AP
40
What causes temporal summation?
a high frequency AP being sent by a presynaptic neuron
41
Spatial summation
2+ Presynaptic neurons; EPSPs in DIFFERENT parts of the neuron
42
EPSP and IPSP at the same time cause a
return to resting potential
43
What are the three ways of termination of a NT?
1. Reuptake in presynaptic 2. Degradation 3. Diffusion
44
What part of the synapse does the reuptake in presynaptic neuron?
By astrocytes or axon terminal
45
Degradation
Caused by enzymes
46
Diffusion
Diffuses away from the synaptic cleft; molecules move from high to low
47
What is a neurotransmitter?
A chemical substance released at the end of a neuron that communicates with another neuron
48
What is the three criteria for NTs
NT presented, NT released, NT receptors activated
49
Why is there more chemical synapses than electrical synapses?
Chemical releases NTs which diversify the post synaptic responses
50
What are the four categories of NTs?
1. Amino Acids 2. Monoamides 3. Small molecules 4. Neuropeptides
51
3 most common amino acids
1. GABA 2. Glutamate 3. Glycine
52
GABA
CNS-inhibitory
53
Glycine
CNS-inhibitory
54
Glutamate
CNS-Excitatory
55
3 most common types of Monoamides
1. Dopamine 2. Norepinephrine 3. Serotonin
56
Dopamine
CNS; learning, euphoria; movement
57
Norepinephrine
CNS; arousal, flight or fight response
58
Serotonin (5HT)
Sleep, Mood, Wakefulness
59
Two types of Neuropeptides
1. Substance p-pain sensation 2.Endorphin
60
Endorphin function
decrease pain sensation
61
What are the two types of receptors?
Metabotropic and Ionotropic
62
How do Ionotropic receptors work?
NT binds to sensor; Ions flow freely through ion channel
63
Is ionotropic fast and brief or slow and long?
Fast and brief
64
How do metabotropic receptors work?
NT binds to a sensor which activates a g-protein inside the cell; G-protein can open and close nearby ion channels
65
Is metabotropic fast and brief or slow and long?
slow and long
66
Two types of pathways
1. Diverging pathway 2. Converging pathway
67
Divergent pathways
One presynaptic neuron affects a larger number of postsynaptic neurons
68
Converging pathways
Many presynaptic neurons converge into a smaller number of postsynaptic neurons
69
What is the main excitatory NT in the adult brain?
Glutamate

NEU211 Intro to Neuro (13 decks)

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