Biological

Question 1

Reflex Arc

Answer 1

Receptor neuron detects harmful stimuli like praying mantis bite. Afferent neuron takes this signal to the spinal cord. Interneuron there decides what to do. If no big deal, it sends along to the brain. If interneuron decides its a big deal, it doesn’t tell the brain, but instead tells efferent neuron to MOVE (reflex). Mantis bite fo sho a big deal.

Question 2

Resting Potential

Answer 2

Neuron is ready to “fire” but is not stimulated by anything to fire yet.

Question 3

Action Potential

Answer 3

The all-or-nothing-principle is met, and a stimulus causes a neuron to fire a signal down its axon to its terminals, where neurotransmitters will be sent into the synapse.

Question 4

Presynaptic cell

Answer 4

the neuron that sends a neurotransmitter signal.

Question 5

Postsynaptic cell

Answer 5

the neuron that receives neurotransmitter signal.

Question 6

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Answer 6

when myelin along the axon is degraded or damaged. Results in slow action potentials that make movement and other functions difficult or impossible.

Question 7

Refractory period

Answer 7

the time after an action potential that a neuron cannot fire again….OR it takes a much larger stimulus to make it fire.

Question 8

Reuptake

Answer 8

the process of clearing the synapse of neurotransmitters after an action potential, and ending the refractory period.

Question 9

Reuptake inhibitor

Answer 9

a drug that slows reuptake and leaves neurotransmitters “active” longer in the synapse, continuing to communicate with an influence the postsynaptic cell (next cell over). Illegal drugs may do this but also SSRI, which are used as a treatment for depression and anxiety. Serotonin will be active longer.

Question 10

Glial cells or glia

Answer 10

support cells for neurons. They hold neurons in place and help them make new connections. They feed neurons, and clean them.

Question 11

Agonist

Answer 11

a chemical like a drug that enhances a certain neurotransmitter. I will ask you on the exam for example what might happen to a GABA agonist like alcohol. = more relaxation….potentially even too much.

Question 12

Antagonist

Answer 12

a chemical that inhibits or slows a neurotransmitter. So an antagonist to GABA might increase your anxiety and make you less relaxed.

Question 13

Broca’s aphasia

Answer 13

damage to Broca’s area will result in choppy or slurred speech. Not the same as stutter.

Question 14

Wernike’s aphasia

Answer 14

damage to Wernike’s area will result in perfect speech, but no understanding of word meaning.

Question 15

Contralateral organization of brain

Answer 15

right hemisphere controls left side of body. left hemisphere controls the right. studied using split-brain research where the corpus callosum is cut.