Bio Bases Flashcards
what are glial cells for
Provide support for information processing neurons
what are the glial cells in the CNS/PNS
Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglial (CNS);
Schwann, satellite, and enteric glia (PNS)
describe glial cells in the CNS
Astro- prun of neurons, form new neurons; Regulate blood flow, but also transfer mitochondria to neurons, and supply the building blocks of neurotransmitters, which fuel neuronal metabolism - synchronize activity of the axon by taking up chemicals released by the axon
oligo- form myelin sheath in brain and spinal cord;
micro- remove debris from injured cells (pain perception)
differences in motor, sensory, and interneurons
Motor: stimulate muscles or glands
sensory: responds to environmental stimul (light, odor, touch)
interneurons: receive input from and send input to other neurons
why is the axon hillock important
Plays important role in neural communication; cone shaped area that gives rise to the axon (site of integration); determines if signals warrant propagation of action potential and transmission of signal
why is myelination important
Helps insulate and speed conduction; it forms around the nerves; the sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells
what are the nodes of ranvier
Gaps between sections of myelin where the axon is exposed
what are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system- controls body’s rest and digest functions; keep body relaxed and maintain daily functions
Sympathetic nervous system- controls the body’s fight or flight response; prepares the body for physical activity
role of the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobe
Frontal- movement and high level cognition
Parietal- spatial cognition (attention), sensory
Occipital- visual processing
Temporal- auditory processing, aspects of learning, recognition of objects
sagittal, horizontal, coronal planes
saggital: cut down the middle, left and right
horizontal (axial, transverse): cut in half, top and bottom
coronal (frontal): cut in half, front and back
grey matter vs white matter
Grey matter: consists of cell bodies that form the outer layers of the cortex and nuclei within the brain. Unmyelinated neuron cell bodies and short, unmyelinated axons
White matter: light colored interior; packed with fatty myelin that surrounds axons sending information in and out of the cortex
Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter. What does that mean?
It stimulates nerve cells to take action; This action makes it more likely that chemical messages will continue to pass between nerve cells, rather than being stopped.
What are agonists and antagonists?
Agonists: An agonist is a drug that binds to the receptor, producing a similar response to the intended chemical and receptor.
Antagonist: is a drug that binds to the receptor either on the primary site, or on another site, which all together stops the receptor from producing a response.
What are the monoamine?
neurotransmitters that contain an aromatic ring connected to an amino group by a two-carbon chain.
How are the monoamines different from the catecholamines?
Monoamines are a class of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that are derived from aromatic amino acids and are characterized by their chemical structure. Monoamines are divided into two major classes based on their chemical structure: catecholamines and indolamines:
Catecholamines
Contain a nucleus catechol group, which is a benzene group with two adjacent hydroxyl groups, and an ethylamine side chain with a single amine group. Catecholamines include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and are synthesized from the amino acid L-tyrosine. Catecholamines are associated with both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory effects, and can also have immunosuppressive, vasoconstrictive, and coagulative effect
Indolamines
Contain 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT), also known as serotonin, and melatonin, and are synthesized from the amino acid L-tryptophan
What could a monoamine oxidase inhibitor be?
Class of antidepressants that treat depression and other psychiatric illnesses by preventing the breakdown of certain brain chemicals
If a drug blocks the autoreceptors which has an effect of stimulating the release of a neurotransmitter into the synapse, is it an agonist or antagonist?
Agonist
What area of the brain do most addictive drugs have their effect?
Nucleus accumbs (basal ganglia)
What are the models of drug abuse?
Moral Model: abuse is due to failure of moral character or lack of self control.
Disease Model: addiction is considered to be a disease that requires medical treatment.
Physical Dependence Model: abusers continue to use drugs to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Positive Reward Model: drug abuse and addiction are due to powerful reinforcement.
Which models of drug abuse work or not and why?
Moral- Little evidence that morality-based programs affect abuse rates.
Disease- no evidence of physical or biochemical abnormalities.
Physical dependence- But some people become addicted before physical dependence develops, and some addictive drugs such as cocaine don’t produce withdrawal symptoms.
Positive reward- Self-administration experiments using animals shows that addiction can occur in the absence of physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms.
What are the two original main theories of emotion?
James-Lange theory: the emotions we feel are caused by bodily changes; emotions differ due to different physiological responses.
Cannon-Bard theory: emotions precede physiological responses and help deal with a changing environment.
What are some suggestions for getting off antidepressants?
Take your time
Make a plan
Consider psychotherapy
Stay active
Seek support
Complete the taper
How can antidepressant withdraw look like depression?
Discontinuation symptoms include anxiety and depression; Anxiety and depression symptoms reason on medication in first place
What is the difference between withdrawal and depression?
Emerge within days to weeks of stopping the medication or lowering the dose, whereas relapse symptoms develop later and more gradually. Include physical complaints that aren’t commonly found in depression, such as dizziness, flulike symptoms, and abnormal sensations.
-Discontinuation symptoms disappear quickly if you take a dose of the antidepressant, while drug treatment of depression itself takes weeks to work.
-Discontinuation symptoms resolve as the body readjusts, while recurrent depression continues and may get worse.