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Higher Human Biology Unit 3 > 3.3 Cells of the Nervous System and Neurotransmitters > Flashcards

3.3 Cells of the Nervous System and Neurotransmitters Flashcards

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1
Q

Function of neurons

A

Recieve and transmit electrical signals

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2
Q

Function of glial cells

A

Support and maintain the neurons

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3
Q

Composition of neurons

A
  • Nerve cell body

* Nerve fibres

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4
Q

The three types of neurons

A
  • Sensory
  • Inter
  • Motor
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5
Q

Function of dendrites

A

Nerve fibres that recieves nerve impulses

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6
Q

Function of the cell body

A

Contains the nucleus, containing DNA, coding for a neurotransmitter, or a receptor, or enzymes needed for the synthesis or degredation of neurotransmitters

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7
Q

Funtion of axons

A

Nerve fibre that carries inpulses away from the cell body

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8
Q

Order in which nerve impulses travel

A

Dendrite -> Cell Body -> Axon

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9
Q

Funtion of sensory neurons

A

Passes information from sense organs to neurons in the CNS

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10
Q

Function of Inter neurons

A

Link sensory neurons to motor neurons within the CNS

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11
Q

Function of motor neurons

A

Passes information from the CNS to an effector (a muscle or a gland)

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12
Q

Why axon terminals of a neuron contain many mitochondria

A
  • Provide ATP for synthesis reactions

* Privide ATP for the creation of vesicles which are able to store, carry and release neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Definition of myelination

A

The development of myelin around the axon fibres if individual neurons

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14
Q

The two jobs of the myelin sheath

A
  • Insulates the axon fibres of neurons

* Increases the soeed of impulse conduction

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15
Q

The two jobs of the glial cells

A
  • Maintain a homeostatic environment around the neurons

* Remove debris by phagocytosis

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16
Q

Definition of synapse

A

The junction between an axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another

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17
Q

Definition of synaptic cleft

A

The narrow space between the plasma membranes of the two neurons at the synapse

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18
Q

Where neurotransmitters are stored in neurons

A

Vesicles

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19
Q

Where neurotransmitters are released from

A

Vesicles from the presynaptic membrane

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20
Q

What neurotransmitters do after diffusing across the synaptic cleft

A

Bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane

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21
Q

What a neurotransmitter is

A

Protein molecules produced by ribosomes

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22
Q

Jobs of receptors on the postsynaptic membrane

A

Determine whether the signal is excitory or inhibitory

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23
Q

Definition of neurotransmitter threshhold

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A

Minimum quantity of neurotransmitter to allow activation/ muscle contraction

24
Q

Hiw the continuous stimulation of the post synaptic neuron is prevented

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A
  • Neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft by enzymes
  • Re-uptake occurs
25
Why many mitochondria are needed in nerve cells
Provide ATP for: • release of neurotransmitters • to allow vesicles to the cleft and fuse with the membrane •for re-uptake to occur (active transport)
26
Enzyme involved in enzyme degredation
Acetylcholine
27
How enzyme degredation works
* The neurotransmitter is broken down by a degredative enzyme * Non active products are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron * It is then re-synthesised in to qctuve transmitters
28
How reuptake works
* The neurotransmitter is reabsobed directly into the presynaptic membrane * It is then stored in a vesicle ready for reuse
29
Neurotransmitter involved in reuptake
Noradrenaline
30
Definition of Summation
When a series of weak stimuli trigger an inpulse or when a higher concentration of neurotransmitter is released to trigger an impulse
31
What controls the direction if nerve impulse?
Vesicles only occur in the axon on the terminal side of the synaptic cleft
32
What is a neural pathway?
The route a nerve impulse follows through the nervous system
33
Definition of converging pathway
Several neurons linked to one neuron, increasing the neurotransmitter concentration and therefore the chance of impulse generation
34
Definition of diverging pathway
One neuron linked to several neurons, so impulses are sent to several destinations at the same time
35
When diverging pathways are used
For fine motor control of the fingers or eyes (several muscles are activated at once when writing)
36
Definition of reverberating pathway
A pathways which has neurons later in the pathway which link back to form synapses with neurons earlier in the pathway
37
Definition of plasticity
The ability of brain cells to become altered as a result of new environmental experiences
38
Example of major plasticity
The undamaged cells to form new neural pathways following brain damage (eg stroke)
39
Example of minor plasticity
When the brain suppresses reflexes like blinking or supresses sensory impulses
40
Definition of endorphines
Neurotransmitters which stimulate neurons involving the intensity of pain
41
When endorphine prorduction increases
* severe injury * continuous excersise * stress * certain foods
42
What increased levels of endorphines do
* euphoric feelings (intense happiness) * appetite regulation (modulation) * release of sex hormones
43
Definition of dopamine
The neurotransmitter that induces feelings of pleasure and reinforces certain behaviours in the reward pathway
44
When neurotransmitter related disorders occur
When there is an imbalance, overproduction or underproduction of neurotransmitters
45
Examples of neurotransmitter related disorders
* Alzheimer's disease * Parkinson's disease * anxiety disorders * depression * schizophrenia
46
What kinds of drugs are given to treat neurotransmitter disorders
Drugs that are similar to the neurotransmitters, act as agonists, antagonist and enzyme inhibitors
47
Action of Agonists
Bind to and stimulate the receptors mimicking the neurotransmitters
48
Action of Antagonists
Bind to specific receptors, blocking the action of the neurotransmitters
49
Action of Enzyme inhibitors
Inhibits the enzymes which degredate neurotransmitters or inhibit reuptake
50
Effects of recreational drugs
* Changes brains neurochemistry * alters moods * alters cognition * alters perception * alters behaviour
51
Action of recreational drugs acting as agonists
Mimics the action of natural neurotransmitters and can enhance the action of these Eg. Nicotine mimics the action of acetylcholine
52
Action of recreational drugs acting as antagonists
Block the binding of natural neurotransmitters or bind to receptors, preventing the nerve impulses passing from the synapse Eg. Nicotine blocks the reuptake of dopamine (continuing stimulation of the reward pathway and reinforcing smoking habits)
53
Definition of sensitisation
An increase in the number and sensitivity of neurotransmitter receptors
54
What sensitivity occurs with
The use of antagonistic drugs, blocking the receptors
55
Definition of desensitisation
A decreased number and sensitivity of receptors as the nervous system tries to compensate for the overstimulation of certain neurotransmitter receptors
56
What desensitisation occurs because of
An exposure to drugs that are agonists. This leads to a drug tolerance
57
Cocaine's effect on dopamine
* Blocks the dopamine reuptake proteins * It therefore acts as an antagonist * Dopamine then stays in the synaptic cleft and continues to stimulate the receptors

Higher Human Biology Unit 3 (5 decks)

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