Ch. 3: The Neuron

Question 1

Dendrites

Answer 1

short, branchlike appendages that detect chemical signals from other neurons.

Question 2

Cell Body / Soma

Answer 2

Collects and integrates the information collected by the Dendrites. Is big circularish part that all the dendrites sprout from.

Question 3

Axon

Answer 3

Transmits and carries electrical impulses from the Soma to the Terminal Buttons.

Question 4

The Terminal buttons

Answer 4

The knoblike structures at the end of the nerve that receive electrical impulses transmitted by the Axon (and presumably originating from the Soma), then relays these signals to other neurons

Question 5

The Synapse

Answer 5

Where the chemical communication between neurons takes place. Neurons communicating by sending chemicals into the synapse, which is a tiny gap between the terminal buttons of the “sending” neuron and the “receiving” neurons.

Question 6

Node of Ranview

Answer 6

Located between the “sections of the membrane. They are the little dips between the membrane sections and have ion channels.

Question 7

Sodium Potassium Pump

Answer 7

increases potassium and decreases sodium inside the neuron as needed in order to maintain the resting potential of the membrane.

Question 8

Excitatory signals

Answer 8

depolarize the cell membrane by decreasing the negative charge inside the cell. through depolarization, these signals increase the likelihood that the neuron will fire.

Question 9

Inhibitory signals

Answer 9

Hyper-polarize the cell by increasing the negative charge inside the cell. Through hyper-polarization, these signals decrease the likelihood that the neuron will fire.

Question 10

Firing Threshold

Answer 10

Excitatory and inhibitory signals received by the dendrites are combined within the neuron. if the total amount of excitatory input exceeds the neuron’s firing threshold, which is -55mV, an action potential is generated.

Question 11

Glial cells

Answer 11

Make up the myelin sheath

Question 12

Receptors

Answer 12

Specialized proteins that match with a specific type of neurotransmitter that might be released into the synapse. Once this protein matches with a molecule of the correct neurotransmitter it is assigned to absorb, it can cause ion channels to open or close more tightly in the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 13

Reuptake

Answer 13

Occurs when the neurotransmitter is taken back into the presynaptic terminal buttons.

Question 14

Autoreception

Answer 14

Autoreception occurs when receptors on the presynaptic neuron bind with enough of a neurotransmitter to detect that an excess has been released. These receptors then communicate with the presynaptic neuron to cease releasing the neurotransmitter.

Question 15

Agonsists

Answer 15

Drugs that enhance the effects of neurotransmitters

Question 16

Antagonists

Answer 16

Drugs that inhibit the effects of neurotransmitters

Question 17

Seratonin

Answer 17

control emotional states, impulsiveness, and dreaming. Often manipulated in antidepressants

Question 18

Dopamine

Answer 18

reward and motivation as well as motor control over voluntary movement. Generally thought to communicate which activities may be rewarding. It is also important in movement, and a lack of dopamine is implicated by Parkinson’s disease.

Question 19

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 19

responsible for motor control over muscles, learning, sleep, memory, and dreaming. After acting as a neurotransmitter for muscles, it binds with receptors on muscle cells to make the muscle contract or relax. For example, ACh excites skeletal muscles and inhibits heart muscles.

Question 20

Norepinephrine

Answer 20

Arousal, vigilance, and attention.

Question 21

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 21

Inhibition of action potentials and anxiety reduction. It is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Without the inhibitory effects of GABA, it is more likely for brain activity to become chaotic and non-sensible. Drugs that are agonists of GABA are used to treat a wide variety of anxiety disorders.

Question 22

Glutamate

Answer 22

Enhancement of action potentials, learning, and memory. It is the primary excitatory transmitter in the nervous system and is involved in fast-acting neural transmission throughout the brain. Excess glutamate can lead to seizures. Much of brain damage caused by a stroke or trauma is associated with too much glutamate.

Question 23

Endorphins

Answer 23

pain reduction and reward. Many opiates bind to receptors of endorphins in the brain, and these receptors are part of the body’s natural defense against pain.

Question 24

Monoamines

Answer 24

A group of neurotransmitters of size 3 that contains norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters generally regulate arousal, feelings, and motivate behavior.

Question 25

Neurogenesis

Answer 25

the production of new neurons. Environmental conditions play an important role in neurogenesis. Also, younger people usually have an easier time growing new neurons, though there is evidence that neurogenesis happens throughout life.

Question 26

where are neurotransmitters made and stored in the neuron?

Answer 26

made in axon and stored in vesicles in the terminal buttons