Chapter 3 - Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Question 1

What is the function of neurons?

Answer 1

use electrical impulses and chemical signals to transmit information between different areas of the brain, and between the brain and the rest of the nervous system

Question 2

How do neurotransmitters function?

Answer 2

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Question 3

What are the main parts of a neuron?

Answer 3

dendrites 
axon
soma
nucleus
presynaptic terminals

Question 4

What is in the process of synaptic transmission?

Answer 4

synapse - > dendrites - > soma - > axon - > synaptic terminal

Question 5

What are the synaptic parts needed for synaptic transmission?

Answer 5

1.   Pre-synaptic neuron (sender)
Terminal button
-	Synaptic vesicles (sacs)
-	Pre-synaptic membrane 
2.	Synaptic cleft (space)
-	Release of neurotransmitters
3.	Post- synaptic neuron (receptor)
- 	revives neurotransmitters and electrical impulse is stimulated

Question 6

What do excitatory synapse enable?

Answer 6

Firing by the release of a neurotransmitter that excites the postsynaptic neuron leading to its action potential.

Question 7

Excitatory vs. Inhibitory synapse

Answer 7

Excitatory = increases the amount of firing of the axon of the presynaptic neuron, to Glutamate (more likely)

Inhibitory synapse = inhibits firing leading to GABA (less likely)

Question 8

Types of Neurotransmitters

Answer 8

Acetylcholine
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Serotonin

Question 9

Function of acetylcholine

Answer 9

Stimulates muscle contractions, learning, memory, and controls REM sleep.
Controls breathing, digestion and cardiovascular system

Question 10

Function of Epinephrine

Answer 10

hormone + neurotransmitter, secreted by adrenal glands

fight vs flight, increase heartrate, blood pressure

Question 11

Function of Norepinephrine

Answer 11

Increases alertness and arousal, speed up reaction times, regulates mood + concentration

Question 12

Function of Dopamine

Answer 12

thoughts, feelings, motivation, behaviour, Controls reward and pleasure centres

Question 13

Function of Serotonin

Answer 13

mood, social behaviour, appetite, digestion, sleep memory, sexual functioning

Question 14

A change in neurotransmitters can be caused by?

Answer 14

• Neurons producing too much or not enough neurotransmitters
• Deactivation of a neurotransmitter by enzymes
• Neurotransmitters being reabsorbed too quickly

Question 15

Parkinson’s disease is caused from the degeneration of?

Answer 15

dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra

Question 16

Function of substantia nigra

Answer 16

reward, addiction, movement and coordination

Question 17

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 17

slow movement
rigid and involuntary movement of appendages, jaw, head
difficulty in controlling movement

Question 18

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 18

gradual memory loss commencing with declarative memory, confusion, impaired attention, disordered thinking and depression

Question 19

Amnesia Types

Answer 19

Anterograde

Retrograde

Question 20

Anterograde amnesia

Answer 20

impaired capacity for new learning

Question 21

Retrograde amnesia

Answer 21

loss of information that was acquired before the onset of amnesia

Question 22

Alzheimer’s due to loss of neurotransmitters shares?

Answer 22

o Decrease in acetylcholine in the CNS = sign of Alzheimer’s and other progressive dementias
o Cholinergic neuron (cognitive & motor functions) release acetylcholine
o Acetylcholine latches on to neighboring neuron receptors allowing signals to pass from cell to cell
o When acetylcholine functioning is impaired, or levels are depleted the neural pathways used in memory and leering start to deteriorate

Question 23

What is inside presynaptic neurons?

Answer 23

Neurotransmitters

Question 24

What is the process called?

Answer 24

Action Potential

Question 25

What part of the brain is effected in Alzheimer’s?

Answer 25

Hippocampus

Question 26

Neurotransmission

Answer 26

An action potential travels down the axon of a neuron, causing vesicles containing neurotransmitters to be released across the synapse. These attach to receptors on the receiving dendrite, creating action potential in the next neuron.

Question 27

How does Parkinson’s disease occur?

Answer 27

Neurons producing dopamine and norepinephrine die

Question 28

How does Alzheimer’s disease occur?

Answer 28

Levels of acetylcholine decline