Brain Flashcards
Dentrite
Pick up messages from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body
Nucleus
Brain of the cell.
Determines what the function of the cell is going to be
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messenger
Released from the terminal
Plugs into receptor on opposite side of dentrite
Receptor
Activated when a neurotransmitter is plugged into it.
Pores open once activated allowing positive ions and and the creation of an action potential
5 steps for nerve cell communication
- ) stimulus comes in tact with nerve cell and causes depolarization which causes the signal to be released
- ) the signal goes through the axon to the terminal button
- ) the signal tells the vesicle to open and release the neurotransmitter
- ) the neurotransmitter crosses the synapse and connects to the next receptor on the next andrite
- ) repeat
Resting potential
More negative ions inside
Causes electrical charge to build
Polarization
Ions at rest
Sensory neuron
Afferent
Motor neuron
Efferent
Interneuron
Connects neurons and carries messages from one neuron to another
Threshold of excitation
Level of stimulation necessary to fire neutron
Absolute refractory period
The rest time immediately following an action potential in which a neuron can’t fire, no matter how strong the stimulus is
Relative refractory period
The time before cell is polarized
Can fire if stimulus is strong enough
Excitatory neurotransmitter
Agonist-make a neuron more likely to fire
Acetylcholine
Helps muscle action, memory, and learning
Norepinephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter
Antagonist- makes neuron less likely to fire
Dopamine
Influences movement learning, attention, and emotion
Endorphins
Brains natural pain killer
Prevents firing the “pain” message
Narcotics are similar
Plasticity
Ability of the brain to form connections
More or less dendrites created
Critical period- brain more plastic to get ability
More experience=more connections
Central nervous system - perpetual nervous system
Receives the message from the CNS
Extends from spinal chord
Divided into somatic and autonomic systems
