2.02

Question 1

Diffusion

Answer 1

Process of molecules moving from areas to high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Question 2

Resting Potential

Answer 2

The state of a neuron when not firing a neural impulse.

Question 3

Action Potential

Answer 3

The release of the neural impulse, consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon.

Question 4

All-or-none principle

Answer 4

The strength by which a neuron responds to a stimulus is independent of the strength of the stimulus. If that stimulus exceeds the threshold potential, the neuron will give a complete response; otherwise, there is no response.

Question 5

Synaptic vesicles

Answer 5

Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.

Question 6

Neurotransmitters

Answer 6

Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell.

Question 7

Synaptic gap (or synapse)

Answer 7

Microscopic fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell. (Neurons never touch)

Question 8

Receptor sites

Answer 8

Three dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.

Question 9

Excitatory synapses

Answer 9

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire.

Question 10

Inhibitory synapses

Answer 10

Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop flirting.

Question 11

Antagonist

Answer 11

Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.

Question 12

Agonist

Answer 12

Chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.

Question 13

Acetylcholine

Answer 13

Messenger at every junction between motor neuron and muscle. Motor control over large muscle movement. Learning, memory, attention, arousal, emotion, dreaming, sleeping.

Question 14

Epinephrine

Answer 14

Energy, arousal (adrenaline rush).

Question 15

Norepinephrine

Answer 15

Eating behavior, learning, and mood. Attention and arousal. Deficiency associated with depression.

Question 16

Dopamine

Answer 16

Motivation, reward, alertness, learning, emotion. Motor control over voluntary movement. Parkinson’s disease is a result of deterioration of neurons that produce dopamine. Excess receptors for dopamine are found in schizophrenic patients. Studies show that addiction is linked to the dopamine reward centers because certain drugs act as agonists, causing prolonged pleasure.

Question 17

Serotonin

Answer 17

Mood, emotional states, sleep, temperature regulation, appetite, dreaming, impulsiveness.

Question 18

GABA

Answer 18

Inhibitor of action potentials. Anxiety and intoxication.

Question 19

Glutamate

Answer 19

Excitatory, enhances action potentials. Learning, memory, nervous system development, and synaptic plasticity.

Question 20

Endorphins

Answer 20

Pain reduction, reward and pleasure. Natural opiates that are released in response to pain and exercise (i.e., Runner’s high).

Question 21

Substance P

Answer 21

Pain perception

Question 22

Reuptake

Answer 22

Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles.

Question 23

Enzygmatic degradation

Answer 23

Process by which the structure of a neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor.

Question 24

Selectively Permeable

Answer 24

Permeable to only certain molecules and not to all molecules.

Question 25

Threshold

Answer 25

The point that must be exceeded to begin producing a given effect or result or to elicit a response.

Question 26

Refractory period

Answer 26

The amount of time it takes for an excitable membrane to be ready for a second stimulus once it returns to its resting state following excitation.

Question 27

Presynaptic

Answer 27

Relating to the transmitting end of a discharge across a synapse.

Question 28

Postsynaptic

Answer 28

Pertaining to or being on the receiving end of a discharge across a synapse.