4.01 Neurons and synapses Flashcards

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1
Q

a network of cells that carry info to and from all parts of the body

A

nervous system

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2
Q

broad science that explores the structures and functions of the brain, enruons, nerves and nervous tissue

A

neuroscience

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3
Q

___ psychology, also called behavioral neuroscience, focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes

A

biological

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4
Q

first doctor to imagine that the nervous system was made up of individual cells

A

Ramon y Cajal

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5
Q

neuron structures that receive signals from other neurons

A

dendrites

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6
Q

neuron structures that is the cell body

A

soma

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7
Q

neuron structures that carry signals out of the cell

A

axons

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8
Q

neuron structures that insulate axons and make signal transmission more efficient

A

myelin sheath

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9
Q

__ cells serve many support functions in the nervous system

A

glial

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10
Q

8 functions of glial cells

A
  • provide structure where neurons can develop
  • hold neurons in place
  • guide migrating neurons to form the outer layers of the brain
  • get nutrients to neurons
  • clean up remains of dead neurons
  • provide insulation for neurons by making myelin
  • control synaptic connectivity during development
  • assist in learning and memory
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11
Q

major __ disorder is characterized by lower numbers of specific glial cells

A

depressive

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12
Q

___ is a disease characterized by higher numbers of specific glial cells

A

schizophrenia

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13
Q

glial cells that produce myelin for the brain and spinal cord

A

oligodendrocytes

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14
Q

glial cells that produce myelin for the neurons of the body

A

Schwann cells

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15
Q

two components of the central nervous system

A

brain and spinal cord

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16
Q

neurons of the body make up the __ nervous system

A

peripheral

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17
Q

term for myelin-coated axons in the central nervous system

A

tracts

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18
Q

term for myelin-coated axons in the peripheral nervous system

A

bundles

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19
Q

axons in the (CNS or PNS?) are more likely to be permanently damaged

A

CNS

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20
Q

small sections of axons that are not covered by myelin

A

nodes

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21
Q

disease in which the myelin sheath is destroyed, which leads to loss of neural functioning in damaged cells

A

multiple sclerosis

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22
Q

a neuron that is not firing is at __

A

rest

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23
Q

a charged particle

A

ion

24
Q

resting potential of most cells

A

-70 millivolts

25
Q

describes a cell membrane that allows some substances to cross, but not others

A

semipermeable

26
Q

a short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory

A

action potential

27
Q

different in charge across a cell mebrane

A

electrical potential

28
Q

5 steps in an action potential

A
  1. resting potential
  2. threshold
  3. action potential
  4. hyperpolarization
  5. resting potential
29
Q

two things a strong message can do to affect neuron firing

A
  • make the neuron fire repeatedly

- make more neurons fire

30
Q

molecule that carries a message across the synapse

A

neurotransmitter

31
Q

sac full of neurotransmitters at the presynaptic terminal

A

synaptic vesicle

32
Q

fluid-filled space between neurons

A

synapse

33
Q

a “gate” on a dendrite ion channel

A

receptor site

34
Q

synapses that activate cells

A

excitatory synapses

35
Q

synapses that turn cells “off”

A

inhibitory synapses

36
Q

a chemical that blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

antagonist

37
Q

a chemical that mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

agonist

38
Q

neurotransmitter that activates skeletal muscle

A

acetylcholine (ACh)

39
Q

acetylcholine antagonist, prevents muscles from contracting

A

curare

40
Q

acetylcholine agonist, causes convulsions

A

black widow spider venom

41
Q

neurotransmitter involved in movement and pleasure

A

dopamine

42
Q

disease characterized by low levels of dopamine

A

Parkinson’s

43
Q

disease characterized by high levels of dopamine

A

schizophrenia

44
Q

neurotransmitter associated with sleep, mood, anxiety and appetite

A

serotonin

45
Q

low levels of serotonin are associated with __

A

depression

46
Q

excitatory neurotransmitter that plays an important role in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity; after injury or disease, it is associated with cell death

A

glutamate

47
Q

the ability of the brain to change connections among its neurons

A

synaptic plasticity

48
Q

an inhibitory neurotransmitter that can calm anxiety

A

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

49
Q

a GABA agonist, which can have a calming effect

A

alcohol

50
Q

a group of neuropeptides that prevent cells from firing pain signals

A

endorphins

51
Q

class of drugs that are addictive because they prevent addicts from producing endorphins (causing an inability to control pain without the drugs)

A

opiates (morphine and heroin)

52
Q

process during which neurotransmitters stay in the synapse and are taken back into the presynaptic neuron

A

reuptake

53
Q

drug that blocks the reuptake of dopamine, causing users to be happy longer, as the dopamine lingers in the synapse

A

cocaine

54
Q

process by which neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes

A

enzymatic degradation

55
Q

diazepam (Valium) is an antianxiety medication and an agonist for __

A

GABA

56
Q

SSRI

A

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; drug that prevents the reuptake of serotonin and improves modd