Cell Biology and Neurophysiology Flashcards
What houses the insides of a cell?
A cell is bound by a lipid bilayer called the plasma membrane.
What is the purpose of the proteins in this housing?
The proteins in the plasma membrane are the link between extra- and intracellular words. They stabilize the membrane, selectively transport of ions and large molecules, anchor membrane to adjacent cells and substrates, and is responsible for cellular motility.
How does a cell nucleus transport peptides or lipids?
A cell nucleus transports peptides or lipids via the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER plays a critical role in creating lipids. To transport the peptides or lipids, the cell sends them to the golgi complex, which is the relay station of the cell.
What do mitochrondria do?
The mitochondria make energy so that cells can be active manufacturing plants.
What is a neuron?
Neurons are nerve cells that are the basic building blocks of the nervous system. Its function is to communicate with the internal environment, signal information to other glands, muscles, and glial cells, sense changes to internal environment, and restore internal environment to homeostasis.
What are the 4 zones of a neuron?
The first area of the neuron is the input zone, or the dendrites, which receives chemical input. The second area of the neuron is the action zone, or the soma, where the chemical input is summed and the electrochemical response is generated. The third zone of the neuron is the transmission zone, or the axon, with carries the output to the target. The fourth, and final zone, or the telodendria, is the area where the chemical or electrical output is sent to another neuron or receptor.
An increase in discharge probability is what kind of input? Decrease?
An input is excitatory if it increases the probability of discharge. An input is inhibitory if it decreases probability of discharge.
Axons are covered in what? Why?
Axons are covered in myelin sheath, which is the fatty covering that insulates axons to prevent diffusion of ions across cell walls. The thickness of the myelin sheath is essential to the speed of transduction of the input.
What is a synapse?
Synapses are the connections between neurons.
How do the short lived mini-potentials generate an action potential?
Short-lived minipotentials are the result of summed Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). When the sum of IPSPs and EPSPs create a critical depolarization near the axon hillock, an action potential is triggered. Then there is a rapid influx of sodium into the cell. Then sodium and potassium open sequentially to recover to normal resting potential. Then the action potential is propagated down axon to terminal boutons.
Describe the voltage and transfer of chemicals in an action potential.
First, the cell is at resting potential. Then there is an IPSP and EPSP. Then there is the rapid influx of positively charged ions that creates the action potential. Then, multiple ion channels up sequentially to recover normal resting potential. Then the cell hyperpolarizes and then returns to a resting potential.
