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MCAT Psych/Soc (PR) > Biological Foundations of Behavior > Flashcards

Biological Foundations of Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the two classifications of neurons according to the number of dendrites?

A

Bipolar: one dendrite Multipolar: many dendrites

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2
Q

What role does kinesin play in neurons?

A

Kinesin, a motor neuron, drives anterograde movement (soma to axon terminal) of vesicles and organelles along micro tubules in axons

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3
Q

What happens when kinesin is inhibited?

A

The axon will atrophy

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4
Q

What is the role of the Na+/K+ pump in neurons?

A

Helps maintain the negative resting membrane potential

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5
Q

How does the Na+/K+ pump help maintain the negative membrane potential?

A

Uses direct active transport: exergonic hydrolysis of ATP coupled with endergonic transport of Na/K ions (3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in)

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6
Q

What does it mean when a neuron is described as polarized?

A

Negative in the inside, positive in the outside

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7
Q

What is the resting membrane potential in neurons?

A

Establishes a negative charge along the interior of axons

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8
Q

What occurs when an action potential disturbs the membrane potential?

A

A wave of depolymerization of the plasma membrane travels along the axon It is a change in the membrane potential from the -70 mV resting membrane potential to less negative, or even positive, potential

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9
Q

What happens below the resting membrane potential?

A

The voltage-gated sodium channels are closed

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10
Q

What happens when the membrane potential is reached

A

The Na+/K+ channels are opened fully

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11
Q

What effect does the opening of these voltage-gated sodium channels have on the cell?

A

The positively charged sodium ions flow down their concentration gradient This makes the interior of the cell less negatively charged, or even positively charged

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12
Q

What effect does the opening of these voltage-gated sodium channels have on the cell’s membrane potential?

A

Depolarizes the section of membrane to about +35 mV before inactivating

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13
Q

What is the function of the voltage-gated sodium channels?

A

In response to change membrane potential (from -70 mV to a threshold potential of -50 mV), these ion channels open to allow sodium ions to flow down their gradient into the cell and depolarize that section of membrane

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14
Q

What is the threshold potential?

A

About -50 mV

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15
Q

[skipped p. 38-40, 43]

A

Oops

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16
Q

What is the equilibrium potential?

A

The membrane potential at which the driving force of gradients do not exist There is no net movement of ions across the membrane Specific for a particular ion

17
Q

What is the Nernst equation?

A

E: equilibrium potential for the ion R: universal gas constant T: temperature (K) F: Faraday’s constant (96,500 –) [X]: concentration of the ion

18
Q

What can the resting membrane potential of -70 mV be attributed to?

A

There are a large number of K+ leak channels (A membrane that is completely permeable to K+ has a potential of -90 mV, the K+ equilibrium potential) There are a few Na+ leak channels (A membrane that is completely permeable to Na+ has a potential of +35 mV, the Na+ equilibrium potential)

19
Q

What type of impulse is the action potential?

A

Electrochemical impulse

20
Q

What is the resting membrane potential?

A

Electric potential across the plasma membrane, with the interior of the cell negatively charged with respect the exterior of the cell approximately -70 mV

21
Q

What are the two primary membrane proteins that are required to establish the resting membrane potential?

A

1) Na+/K+ Pump 2) Potassium Leak Channels

22
Q

What are glial cells?

A

Specialized, non-neuronal cells that typically provide structural and metabolic support to neurons They maintain a resting membrane potential, but do not generate action potentials

23
Q

What are the five types of glial cells and where are they located?

A

PNS: Schwann Cells CNS: Oligodendrocytes, Astrocytes, Microglia, Ependymal cells

24
Q

What is the functions of Schwann cells (PNS) and Oligodendrocytes (CNS)?

A

Form myelin, which increases the speed of conduction of action potential along the axons

25
Q

What are the functions of Astrocytes (CNS)?

A

Guide development Regulate synaptic communication via regulation of neurotransmitter levels

26
Q

What is the function of Microglia (CNS)?

A

Remove dead cells and debris

27
Q

What is the function of Ependymal cells (CNS)?

A

Produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid

28
Q

What are the key proteins involved in the propagation of action potentials?

A

Voltage-gated sodium channels that are located in the plasma membrane of the axon

MCAT Psych/Soc (PR) (10 decks)

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