Unit 5 - Pearls Flashcards
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger and thirst, sleep-wake cycles, mood, sex drive, blood pressure and heart rate, and the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
Where is the medulla oblongata located and what does it control?
The medulla oblongata is situated at the bottom of the brainstem and controls essential automatic processes such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting.
What are the primary functions of the cerebellum?
The cerebellum coordinates muscle movements for smooth and balanced actions, maintains posture and equilibrium, regulates muscle tone, and plays roles in motor learning and some cognitive functions.
What is the role of the cerebrum?
The cerebrum is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, conscious thought, and voluntary actions, including initiating movement, processing sensory information, language, learning and memory, reasoning, emotions, and decision-making.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons and other cells.
How can neurotransmitters be classified?
They can be broadly classified as inhibitory or excitatory based on their effect on the target neuron.
What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?
Inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood that the target neuron will fire an action potential.
How do inhibitory neurotransmitters work?
They typically open channels that allow negatively charged ions into the neuron or positively charged ions out, making the inside of the cell more negative (hyperpolarization).
What is GABA?
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, crucial for reducing neuronal excitability and regulating anxiety, sleep, and muscle tone.
What is glycine?
Glycine is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord and lower brainstem, involved in motor control and sensory processing, including pain.
What role does serotonin play?
Serotonin can have both excitatory and inhibitory effects, but is often considered inhibitory in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and social behavior.
What is the role of dopamine?
Dopamine’s effects are complex and depend on the receptor it binds to, but it can have inhibitory effects, particularly in motor control and the reward system.
What are excitatory neurotransmitters?
Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood that the target neuron will fire an action potential.
How do excitatory neurotransmitters work?
They typically open channels that allow positively charged ions into the neuron, making the inside of the cell more positive (depolarization).
What is glutamate?
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, essential for learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity.
What is acetylcholine?
Acetylcholine can be both excitatory and inhibitory, but is a key excitatory neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, controlling muscle contraction.
What role does norepinephrine play?
Norepinephrine is involved in the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and affects arousal, alertness, attention, and mood.
What is epinephrine?
Epinephrine is involved in the stress response and functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
What is the role of histamine?
Histamine influences wakefulness, arousal, and appetite, and is known for its role in allergic reactions.
Can dopamine have excitatory effects?
Yes, dopamine can also have excitatory effects, particularly in reward pathways and motivation.
How does the effect of a neurotransmitter depend on receptors?
The effect of a neurotransmitter can depend on the specific type of receptor it binds to on the postsynaptic neuron.
What is the monoamine hypothesis?
The monoamine hypothesis is a prominent theory that implicates imbalances in certain neurotransmitters in the understanding of unipolar depression.
What neurotransmitter deficiencies are associated with unipolar depression?
Deficiencies in serotonin and norepinephrine are consistently associated with symptoms of unipolar depression.
Dopamine is also frequently implicated.
What are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
They primarily block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin in the brain, increasing the amount of serotonin available in the synaptic cleft to transmit messages.
