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Physiological Psychology > Chapter 3- Synapses > Flashcards

Chapter 3- Synapses Flashcards

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1
Q

Sherrington deduced that transmission at a synapse must be slower than conduction along an axon. This was based on what kind of evidence?

A

The speed of reflexive responses

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2
Q

What is the correct sequence of chemical events at a synapse?

A

Synthesis, Transport, Release, Reuptake

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3
Q

What is a synapse?

A

A specialized gap between neurons

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4
Q

What is a reflex?

A

Automatic muscular responses to stimuli

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5
Q

What is a reflex arc?

A

Circuit from sensory neurons to muscle response

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6
Q

What is Temporal summation?

A

Repeating stimuli within a brief time have a cumulative effect

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7
Q

What is a postsynaptic neuron?

A

The cell that receives the message

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8
Q

What is a pre-synaptic neuron?

A

The cell that delivers the transmission

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9
Q

What is an Excitatory postsynaptic potential ( EPSP)?

A

Graded depolarization that occurs when sodium ions enter the cell. If it does not reach it’s threshold, depolarization decays quickly

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10
Q

What is an Inhibitory Postsynaptic potential? ( IPSP)

A

Hyperpolarization that occurs when synaptic input selectively opens the gates for potassium ions to leave the cell ( carrying a positive charge) of for chlorine ions ( negative charge) to enter the cell

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11
Q

What is the speed of conduction along an axon?

A

40 m/s

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12
Q

What is the speed of conduction through a reflex arc?

A

15 m/s

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13
Q

What is spatial summation?

A

Synaptic inputs from various locations combine their effects on a neuron. critical to brain functioning

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14
Q

What happens at an inhibitory synapse?

A

Input from an axon hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic cell

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15
Q

What is the Spontaneous Firing Rate?

A

Periodic reproduction of action potentials even without synaptic input

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16
Q

What is a neurotransmitter?

A

Chemicals released by one neuron that affect a second neuron

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17
Q

Name the six types of neurotransmitters

A

Amino Acids, Neuropeptides, Acetylcholine, Monoamines, Purines, Gases

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18
Q

What is exocytosis?

A

Excretion of the neurotransmitters from the presynaptic terminal into the synaptic cleft. Triggered by an action potential reaching the end of an axon.

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19
Q

Name 3 neurotransmitters that are Catecholamines.

A

Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and dopamine

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20
Q

Where are neurotransmitters stored?

A

Most neurotransmitters are synthesized in the presynaptic terminal

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21
Q

What are vesicles?

A

tiny packets that store high concentrations of neurotranmitters

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22
Q

Does a single neuron release all of the neurotransmitters?

A

No, many release a combination of two or more neurotransmitters

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23
Q

Why does a neuron release a combination of neurotransmitters instead of just one?

A

Because that specific combination makes the message more complex

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24
Q

What are Ionotropic effects?

A

They occur at one type of receptor, are quick and only last for a brief time, convey messages and are good for vision and hearing

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25
Q

What are Metabotropic effects?

A

They initiate a series of metabolic reactions, are slower and longer lasting , use a large variety of neurotransmitters and are good for taste, smell ad pain

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26
Q

What are Neuropeptides?

A

often described as neuromodulators-have several properties that distinguish them from neurotransmitters. They require repeated stimulation

27
Q

What happens when a neurotransmitter attaches to a metabotropic receptor?

A

It bends the receptor protein, enabling a portion of it inside the neuron to react with other molecules

28
Q

What are hormones?

A

Chemicals that are secreted by a gland or other cell and conveyed by the blood to other organs

29
Q

What are Endocrine glands?

A

Glands that produce hormones

30
Q

What are hormones good for?

A

Coordinating long-lasting changes in multiple parts of the body

31
Q

Epinephrine,Norepinephrine,insulin and oxytocin serve as both..

A

hormones and neuortranmitters

32
Q

What is the posterior pituitary?

A

considered an extension of the hypothalamus, composed of neural tissue

33
Q

What is the anterior pituitary?

A

composed of glandular tissue and synthesizes six different hormones

34
Q

What does an autoreceptor do?

A

detects the amount of neurotransmitter released and inhibit further synthesis and release after it reaches a certain level

35
Q

What is an Electrical Synapse?

A

Special-purpose synapses that operate electrically, faster than all chemical synapses

36
Q

What is a Gap junction?

A

contact between membrane of one neuron with membrane of another

37
Q

How do drugs work?

A

They mimic our own neurochemistry

38
Q

What kind of drug inhibits or block the effects of a neurotransmitter?

A

Antagonist

39
Q

What kind of drug facilitates or increases the effects of a neurotransmitter?

A

Agonist

40
Q

What does it mean if a drug has an affinity for a receptor?

A

It binds to it

41
Q

What does it mean if a drug has an efficacy for a receptor?

A

It’s tendency to activate that receptor

42
Q

What neurotransmitters do addictive substances effect?

A

Dopamine and Norepinephrine

43
Q

What simulates dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens ?

A

Drugs, Sexual excitement, video games

44
Q

Dopamine in nucleus accumbens relates to…

A

how much you want something, not how much you like it.

45
Q

Small parts of the nucleus accumbens respond to..

A

Pleasure ( liking)

46
Q

Large parts of the nucleus accumbens respond to…

A

Motivation ( wanting)

47
Q

A stimulant drug…

A

increases excitement, alertness, and activity while decreasing fatigue

48
Q

What does Amphetamine do?

A

stimulates dopamine synapses by increasing release of dopamine from presynaptic terminal . Presynaptic terminal ordinarily reabsorbs dopamine through dopamine transporter( a protein))

49
Q

What does cocaine do?

A

Blocks the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. It’s effects depend mostly on dopamine, and secondarily on serotonin

50
Q

How do Amphetamine and Cocaine work?

A

They inhibit dopamine transporters which causes an indirect increase of dopamine release

51
Q

Pert and Snyder ( 1973) found that opiates…

A

Attach to specific receptors in the brain . Proposed that the brain must produce its own chemical that attaches to these receptors

52
Q

Endorphins are..

A

neuropeptides released by the brain that indirectly activate dopamine release and may contribute to certain kinds of reinforcement by inhibiting the release of GABA indirectly

53
Q

Marijuana contains…

A

THC and other cannabinoids which can be used medically to relieve pain or nausea, combat glaucoma, and increase appetite

54
Q

The effects of cannabinoids on neurons are..

A

They are released by postsynaptic neuron attach to receptors on presynaptic neuron, where they inhibit further release of glutamate ( excitatory transmitter) and GABA ( inhibitory transmitter)

55
Q

Hallucinogenic Drugs are…

A

drugs that distort perception

56
Q

MDMA or Ecstasy is..

A

a stimulant at low doses, increasing the release of dopamine to produce effects similar to amphetamine or cocaine.

At high does it also increases serotonin release, leading to alterations in perception and cognition.

57
Q

How does alcohol affect neurons?

A

Facilitates response at GABA receptor and blocks activity at glutamate receptors.

Both GABA effect and glutamate effect lead to decrease in brain activity.

Alcohol increases stimulation and both dopamine and opiate receptors, including those in the nucleus accumbens.

58
Q

Type I alcoholism ( Type A)

A

Develop gradually ( after 25 years of age), do not usually have relatives with addictions

59
Q

Type II alcoholism ( Type B)

A

Onset of problems is rapid, ( before 25 yrs old), most are men, and most have close relatives with alcohol problems

60
Q

How do genes affect likelihood of alcoholism?

A

one identified gene controls dopamine type 4 receptor…people with the “ longer” version of this gene report stronger cravings for additional alcohol after having one drink.

Longer form of this gene leads to less sensitive receptors

Another gene controls COMT ( enzyme that breaks down dopamine after release) Valine version of gene breaks down more dopamine, thereby decreasing reinforcements. People with this gene tend to be more impulsive

61
Q

Addiction is …

A

when someone uses a substance more and more, behavior becomes a compulsion or addiction

62
Q

What can cause rewiring of the nucleus accumbens?

A

Some drugs, such as cocaine. It also induces changes that impair extinction

63
Q

What is Disulfiram ( Antabuse) ?

A

A drug used to combat substance abuse. It antagonizes ( blocks) effect of Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase

64
Q

What is Naloxone ( Revia) ?

A

A drug used to combat substance abuse. It’s an antagonist that blocks opiate receptors so there is decrease in pleasure from alcohol.

Physiological Psychology (12 decks)

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