brain communication

Question 1

Glial Cells

Answer 1

Scaffolding to guide the growth of neurons
Helps to form new myelin (like glue), keeps neuron networks together & improves them
Releases chemicals that influence a neuron’s growth.
In sleep, glial cells help cleanse neurons and replenish chemicals.

Question 2

Dendrites

Answer 2

Part of the nerve cell that receives info from other cells

Question 3

Soma – or Cell Body,

Answer 3

Collects information from dendrites
Has a nucleus

Question 4

Action Potential

Answer 4

When the neuron fires, an electrochemical impulse or message is created called the action potential

Question 5

Axon:

Answer 5

Part of neuron that carries message
to axon terminals and eventually other neurons

Question 6

Axon Terminal:

Answer 6

located at end of axon, stores neurotransmitters

Question 7

Synapse or Synaptic Gap

Answer 7

Space between 2 or more neurons, where messages are passed across

Question 8

Neurotransmitters

Answer 8

Chemical messengers in the ending of nerve cells that travel across the synapse

Question 9

Dendrite Receptors

Answer 9

As messages are shot across the synapse they fall into the receptors and continue to pass the messages onto the next neuron

Question 10

Hillock

Answer 10

is located at the end of the soma and controls the firing of the neuron and decides whether neurons will fire based on info from dendrites

Question 11

Myelin Sheath

Answer 11

the insulating envelope of myelin that surrounds and protects the axon and facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses, Nodes of Ranvier (gaps in myelin sheath that are uninsulated therefore capable of generating electrical activity)

Question 12

Reuptake -

Answer 12

after the neuron fires the sending neuron reabsorbs the excess neurotransmitters

Question 13

Refractory Period –

Answer 13

the resting period (when a neuron fires it doesn’t stay on, it fires and rests, fires and rests)

Question 14

Postsynaptic Potential -

Answer 14

in resting period if there is an excitatory postsynaptic Potential then the neuron is likely to fire again Inhibitory is the opposite of this

Question 15

Central Nervous System-

Answer 15

brain and spinal cord

Question 16

Peripheral Nervous System-

Answer 16

Branches out from brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body

Question 17

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 17

Somatic-voluntary muscles and movements
Autonomic- automatic, involuntary responses including reflexes. Connects to glands and organs

Question 18

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 18

– fight, flight, freeze responses. Gears the body up for emergencies.

Question 19

Parasympathetic Nervous System-

Answer 19

calms the body down after an emergency

Question 20

Afferent (sensory)-

Answer 20

take messages to the brain and spinal cord from the rest of the body

Question 21

Efferent (motor)-

Answer 21

send messages to body from brain and spinal cord

Question 22

Endocrine System-

Answer 22

The endocrine system is your system of glands that control and regulate hormone levels. It is controlled by the hypothalamus in your brain.

Question 23

Agonists-

Answer 23

drug molecule that is similar enough to a neurotransmitter to bind to receptors and mimic the effects of the transmitter fooling the brain, ex. heroin, morphine

Question 24

Antagonist-

Answer 24

drug molecules that bind to receptors and BLOCK the functioning of a neurotransmitter - Ibuprofen

Question 25

Addiction-

Answer 25

compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors despite adverse known consequences

Question 26

Tolerance-

Answer 26

diminishing effect seen with regular use of the same drug, requiring the user to take larger doses to get the effect

Question 27

Withdrawal-

Answer 27

discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing a drug or behavior