Chapter 3 Flashcards
What are neurons?
Brain cells, specialized in communication with each other
What is the cell body?
Center of neuron; builds new cell components
What are dendrites?
Branchlike extension that receive information from other neurons
What are the axons?
“Tails” of the neuron that spread out from the cell body and transmit information
What is the axon terminal?
Knob at the end of the axon containing synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters
What are neurotransmitters (NTs)?
Chemical messengers that allow neuron to neuron communication
What is the synapse?
Space between neurons through which NTs travel
What is the synaptic vesicles?
Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters; travel the length of the axon to get to the axon terminal
What is the synaptic cleft?
Specific area of the gap in which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal
What are Glial cells?
Cells that are plentiful in the brain(Glue). 2 main types: Astrocytes and Oligodendrocytes
What are Astrocytes?
star shaped, abundant; increase reliability of neuronal transmission (communication); control blood flow to brain; development of embryos; found in blood-brain barrier (brains protective shield)
What are Oligodendrocytes?
Promotes new connections, healing, and produce the myelin sheath around axons
What is resting potential?
When there are not NTs acting on a neuron; more negative particles inside than outside the neuron
What is the threshold?
The membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential
What is action potential?
Occurs when there is enough of a charge inside the neuron (threshold)
What is the absolute refractory period?
Time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate
What is graded potentials?
Postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on whether positively or negatively charged particles flow across the neutral membrane and in which direction they flow
What is excitatory postsynaptic potential? (EPSP)
Graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by excitatory synaptic transmission
What is inhibitory postsynaptic potential? (IPSP)
Graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by inhibitory synaptic transmission
What is electrical neurotransmission?
Communication inside neurons
What is chemical neurotransmission?
Communication between neurons
What are receptor sites?
Location that uniquely recognizes a neurotransmitter
What is reuptake?
Means of recycling neurotransmitters
What is Glutamate?
Associated with learning and memory;
An excitatory NTs and inreases the chance neurons will communicate;
Toxic in high doses, may contribute to schizophrenia and other mental disorders
What is GABA?
Associated with learning and memory;
An inhibitory NTs and dampers neural activity
What is Acetylcholine?
Influences arousal, selective attention, sleep and memory;
Neurons that connect to muscles release acetylcholine to trigger movement
What are Monamines?
Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin and only contain one amino acid
What is Norepinephrine?
Controls brain arousal, mood, hunger and sleep
What is Dopamine?
Controls motor function and reward system
What is Serotonin
Controls mood, temp regulation, aggression and sleep cycles
What are Anandamides?
Influences eating, motivation, memory and sleep;
Binds to same receptors as THC
What are Neuropeptides?
Human made opioids act on the endorphin system;
Some neuropeptides regulate hunger, others learning and memory
What are psychoactive drugs?
Target the production or inhibition of certain NTs and impact mood, arousal, or behavior
What are opiates?
Mimic endorphins and increase activity
What are Antagonists?
Decrease activity, like dopamine blockers for schizophrenia
What are neural plasticity?
Plasticity describes the nervous systems ability to change
What is neurogenesis?
Creation of new neurons in the adult brain