bio-psych: neurons and synaptic transmission

Question 1

Define neuron

Answer 1

Nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals

Question 2

Define sensory neuron

Answer 2

Carry messages from PNS to CNS

Question 3

What is the structure of a sensory neuron?

Answer 3

-LONG dendrites
-SHORT axons

Question 4

Define relay neuron

Answer 4

Connect sensory to motor or other relay neurons

Question 5

What is the structure of a relay neuron?

Answer 5

-SHORT dendrites
-SHORT axons

Question 6

Define motor neuron

Answer 6

Connect CNS to effectors (e.g muscles/glands)

Question 7

What is the structure of a motor neuron?

Answer 7

-SHORT dendrites
-LONG axons

Question 8

What % of neurons are found in the brain/visual system?

Answer 8

97%

Question 9

When a neuron is in the resting state, the inside of the cell is what charge?

Answer 9

Negatively charged

Question 10

When a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell is what charge?

Answer 10

Positively charged for split second

Question 11

What does a positively charged inside cell cause?

Answer 11

Action potential

Question 12

What does action potential cause?

Answer 12

Creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards end of neuron

Question 13

Define synaptic transmission

Answer 13

Neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across synapse (gap)

Question 14

Define synapse

Answer 14

A gap between 2 neurons, that separates them

Question 15

Define neurotransmitter

Answer 15

Chemicals released from synaptic vesicle that jump across the synapse from 1 neuron to another

Question 16

What 2 functions do neurotransmitters produce?

Answer 16

-Either:
-Excitation
-Inhibition

Question 17

Define excitation

Answer 17

Neurotransmitter (e.g adrenaline), increases positive charge of postsynaptic neuron

Increases likelihood = electrical impulse = passed on

Question 18

Define inhibition

Answer 18

Neurotransmitter (e.g serotonin) increases negative charge of postsynaptic neuron

Decreases likelihood = electrical impulse = passed on

Question 19

Define summation

Answer 19

Whether a post-synaptic neuron decides to fire