3.2 How the nervous system works - neurotransmitters + cells

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

one of the major types of cells found in the nervous system, which are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body

Question 2

Cell body

Answer 2

the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus that houses the cell’s genetic material

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

small branches radiating from the cell body that receive messages from other cells and transmit those messages toward the rest of the cell

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions form the cell body to the end of the neuron

Question 5

Axon terminals

Answer 5

bulb-like extensions filled with vesicles

Question 6

Neurotransmitters

Answer 6

the chemicals that function as messengers allowing neurons to communicate with each other

Question 7

Neurogenesis

Answer 7

the formation of new neurons

Question 8

Stem cells

Answer 8

a unique type of cell that does not have a predestined function

Question 9

Glial cells

Answer 9

are specialized cells of the nervous system that are involved in mounting immune responses in the brain, removing waste, and synchronizing the activity of the billions of neurons that constitute the nervous system

Question 10

Myelin

Answer 10

a fatty sheath that insulates axons from one another, resulting in increased speed and efficiency of neural communication

Question 11

Multiple sclerosis

Answer 11

a disease in which the immune system does not recognize myelin and attacks it – can destroy the nervous system

Question 12

Resting potential

Answer 12

relatively stable state during which the cell is not transmitting messages (net negative)

Question 13

Ion channels

Answer 13

Small pores on the neurons cell membrane

Question 14

Action potential

Answer 14

a wave of electrical activity that originates at the beginning of the axon near the cell body and rapidly travels (negative to positive)

Question 15

Refractory period

Answer 15

brief period in which a neuron cannot fire

Question 16

Synapse

Answer 16

an area consisting of a neuron’s axon terminals and different neuron’s dendrites; these structures are separated by a microscopic space into which neurotransmitters can be released

Question 17

Presynaptic cell

Answer 17

is the neuron that releases its neurotransmitters into the synapse

Question 18

Postsynaptic cell

Answer 18

is the neuron that receives neurotransmitters from the presynaptic cell

Question 19

All or none principle

Answer 19

individual nerve cells fire at the same strength every time an action potential occurs

Question 20

Synaptic celft

Answer 20

The minute space between the axon terminal and the dendrite

Question 21

Reuptake

Answer 21

a process whereby neurotransmitter molecules that have been released into the synapse are reabsorbed into the axon terminals of the presynaptic

Question 22

Glutamate

Answer 22

most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brains of vertebrates

Question 23

GABA

Answer 23

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system, meaning that it prevents neurons from generating action potentials

Question 24

Acetylcholine

Answer 24

one of the most widespread neurotransmitters within the body, found at the junctions between nerve cells and skeletal muscles - voluntary movement

Question 25

Dopamine

Answer 25

a monoamine neurotransmitter involved in such varied functions as mood, control of voluntary movement, and processing of rewarding experiences

Question 26

Norepinephrine

Answer 26

a monoamine synthesized form dopamine molecules that is involved in regulating stress responses, including increasing arousal, attention, and heart rate

Question 27

Epinephrine aka adrenaline

Answer 27

hormone and neurotransmitter created in the adrenal gland on the kidneys (energy + engagement)

Question 28

Serotonin

Answer 28

a monoamine involved in regulating mood, sleep, aggression, and appetite

Question 29

Agonists

Answer 29

drugs that enhance or mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter’s action

Question 30

Antagonists

Answer 30

inhibit neurotransmitter activity by blocking receptors or preventing synthesis of a neurotransmitter

Question 31

Hormones

Answer 31

chemicals secreted by the glands of the endocrine system

Question 32

Hypothalamus

Answer 32

a brain structure that regulates basic biological needs and motivational systems

Question 33

Pituitary gland

Answer 33

the master gland of the endocrine system that produces hormones and sends commands about hormone production to the other glands of the endocrine systems

Question 34

Adrenal gland

Answer 34

a pair of endocrine glands located adjacent to the kidneys that release stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine

Question 35

Endorphins

Answer 35

hormones produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus that function to reduce pain and induce feelings of pleasure

Question 36

Testosterone

Answer 36

a hormone that serves multiple functions, including driving physical and sexual development over the long term - agression