1.3 The Neuron and Neural Firing

Question 1

Neuron

Answer 1

Type of cell that receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body.

Question 2

Glial Cells

Answer 2

Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way that they should.

Question 3

Spinal cord

Answer 3

Carries nerve signals from your brain to the rest of your body, help you feel sensations, move your body, and keep breathing. (damage can affect your movement).

Question 4

Reflex Arc

Answer 4

neural pathway that controls a reflex. Pass through synapse in spinal cord

Question 5

Sensory Neurons

Answer 5

Carry messages IN from the bodys tissues and sensory receptors to the CNS for processing - EX: when you touch a hot surface with your fingertips, the sensory neurons will be the ones firing and sending off signals to the rest of the nervous system about the information they have received.

Question 6

Motor Neurons

Answer 6

Carry instructions OUT from the CNS out to the bodys tissues. EX: pull our hand away when signals get to the spinal cord before the pain is felt in the brain

Question 7

Interneurons

Answer 7

(in the brain and spinal cord) process information between the sensory input and motor output. EX: Trigger your hand to pull away from a fire before you can say ouch

Question 8

All-or-None Response

Answer 8

The neuron recieves signals from other neurons some telling it to fire some telling it not to, when the threshold is reached, the action potential starts moving, it either fires or it doesnt, more stimulation does nothing this is known as all or none.

Question 9

Depolarization

Answer 9

when there’s a shift in a neuron’s electrical charge that allows an action potential (nerve impulse) to occur (threshold) If it reaches the threshold, it triggers an action potential

Question 10

Resting potential

Answer 10

The activation gates are closed and the membranes resting potential is maintained (polar)

Question 11

refractory period

Answer 11

a period immediately following stimulation during which a nerve or muscle is unresponsive to further stimulation.

Question 12

Reuptake: recycling neruotransmitters

Answer 12

After the nerurotransmitters stimulate the receptors on the recieving neuron, the chemicals are taken back up into the sending nueron to be used again.

Question 13

Multiple Sclerosis

Answer 13

(MS) is a chronic disease that damages the central nervous system, causing a variety of symptoms that can affect movement, thinking, and feeling

Question 14

Myasthenia Gravis

Answer 14

(MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles.

Question 15

Excitatory

Answer 15

Excitatory neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that stimulate nerve cells, making them more likely to pass on a message to the next cell. (Glutamate, epinephrine)

Question 16

Inhibitory

Answer 16

prevent chemical messages from being passed along to other nerve cells. This decreases the amount of stimulation nerve cells receive. - it regulates brain activity to prevent problems in the areas of anxiety, irritability, concentration, sleep, seizures and depression (GABA)

Question 17

Action Potential

Answer 17

Information is passed down the axon of the neuron as an electrical impulse

Question 18

Neurotransmitter

Answer 18

chemical messengers that your body can’t function without. Their job is to carry chemical signals (“messages”) from one neuron (nerve cell) to the next target cell. (Serotonin, Dopamine)

Question 19

Acetylcholine

Answer 19

Type of Neurotransmitters that enables muscle action, learning, and memory, sleep (Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Produces antibodies that block these receptors - ACh deteriorate as Alzheimer’s progresses)

Question 20

Dopamine

Answer 20

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion, reward pathway
(Oversupply - schizophrenia Under supply - ADHD)

Question 21

Serotonin

Answer 21

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal (Undersupply linked to depression; some antidepressant drugs raise serotonin levels)

Question 22

Norepinephrine

Answer 22

Helps control alertness and arousal ( Undersupply can depress mood and cause ADHD-like attention problems)

Question 23

GABA

Answer 23

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter, reduces excitability ( Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia. Huntington’s, anxiety )

Question 24

Glutamate

Answer 24

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory
(Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures; this is why some people avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate) in food)

Question 25

Endorphins

Answer 25

body's natural pain relievers and mood enhancers–produces pleasure when engaging in activities, reduced pain when hurt (Low levels can lead to chronic pain or more sensitive to pain)

Question 26

Substance P

Answer 26

helps transmit pain signals to the brain and spinal cord. P=Pain (Increased sensitivity to pain–like in neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis, itchiness (eczema), or pain (migraines))

Question 27

Endocrine System

Answer 27

Your endocrine system consists of the tissues (mainly glands) that create and release hormones.

Question 28

Hormones

Answer 28

Hormones are chemical messengers released from endocrine glands that travel through the blood system to influence the nervous system to regulate behaviors

Question 29

Adrenaline (Hormone)

Answer 29

Released from the adrenal glands, "fight or flight" hormone, increases heart rate, expands airways, boosts energy supply - weight, blood pressure, sex drive, mood: addison's disease causes weight loss, tired, low blood sugar, pain

Question 30

Leptin (Hormone)

Answer 30

Adipocytes (fat cells) release leptin, high levels of body fat increase leptin production– Leptin regulates energy balance by signaling the brain (especially the hypothalamus) to reduce appetite and increase energy. Leptin plays a critical role in regulating appetite, metabolism, and energy balance. - Both too much and too little leptin can affect health, particularly weight and metabolic function. If there's not enough leptin, the brain thinks the body is starving, leading to increased hunger and overeating.

Question 31

Ghrelin (Hormone)

Answer 31

Produced by the stomach and, to a lesser extent, by the small intestine, pancreas, and brain. It is often referred to as the "hunger hormone" because it stimulates appetite, increases food intake, and promotes fat storage. Ghrelin plays an important role in regulating energy balance and body weight. - Excess ghrelin can lead to issues related to overeating and weight gain, with less ghrelin individuals may experience reduced appetite

Question 32

Melatonin (Hormone)

Answer 32

produced by the pineal gland in the brain, Its main function is to regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle - Too much = Excessive sleepiness and sleep disturbances. Too little = trouble falling/staying asleep

Question 33

Oxytocin (Hormone)

Answer 33

produced mainly by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It is often called the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone" childbirth, sexual arousal, milk production after childbirth, and emotional connection. - Imbalances can cause problems with stress/anxiety, emotional bonding and sensitivity

Question 34

Agonists

Answer 34

Mimics Neurotransmitters - molecule fills the receptor site and activates it, acting like the Neurotransmitters (Opiate drugs)

Question 35

Antagonist

Answer 35

Blocks neurotransmitters - Molecule fills the "lock" so that the neurotransmitter cannot get in and activate the receptor site (Botox)

Question 36

Reuptake inhibitors

Answer 36

A type of drug that is used to treat depression and some other conditions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors stop or delay the body from reabsorbing a substance called serotonin, which leaves more of it available for the body to use.

Question 37

Psychoactive drugs

Answer 37

are chemicals introduced into the body which alter perceptions, mood, and other elements of conscious experience.

Question 38

Stimulants (caffeine, cocaine)

Answer 38

Stimulants are drugs which intensify neural activity and bodily functions. (Dilated pupils, increased breathing and heart rate)

Question 39

Depressants (alcohol)

Answer 39

chemicals that reduce neural activity and other body functions.

Question 40

Hallucinogens (marijuana)

Answer 40

Drugs that impair motor coordination, perceptual ability, reaction time. Over time, the brain shrinks in areas processing memory and emotion.

Question 41

Opioids (heroine)

Answer 41

depress nervous system activity; this reduces anxiety, and especially reduces pain.

Question 42

Tolerance

Answer 42

of a drug refers to the diminished psychoactive effects after repeated use. Tolerance feeds addiction because users take increasing amounts of a drug to get the desired effect.

Question 43

Withdrawal

Answer 43

Painful symptoms of the body re-adjusting to the absence of the drug, worsens addiction because users want to resume taking the drug to end withdrawal symptoms.

Question 44

Addiction/Dependance

Answer 44

someone feeling like they cannot function normally without the use of the substance. A drug dependence can be either physical or psychological and can have many negative effects on someone's life.