Chapter two: Flashcards
Genotype?
The genetic makeup of an organism
Phenotype?
A characteristic expressed by a genotype
What are traits derived from?
Genes
Does one gene provide the basis for multiple phenotypes?
yep.
Explain Nature and Nurture:
Genetics (nature) interact with the environment to influence behavior (nurture).
I order for the body to function, what do various systems need to do?
Communicate
What are the two means that our body systems communicate?
Nervous system: brain neurons and neurotransmitters
Endocrine system: Glands and hormones
What are the divisions of the nervous system?
CNS: brain and spinal cord ( higher order function)
PNS: carrying out automatic actions
What are the sub-categories of the PNS?
Somatic: operates your sensory systems
Autonomic: Handles processes that don’t require your conscious control
Within the autonomic division of the PNS what can further sub-divisions are there?
Sympathetic: flight or fight
Parasympathetic: rest and digest (heart rate, breathing, digestion)
What are the two main categories of cells in the nervous system?
Neurons: The messenger of the nervous system
Glial Cells: support structures for neurons (physically)
What are the two main types of neurons:
sensory (Afferent) neurons: carry messages from your sensory receptors to your central nervous system
-Motor neurons (efferent), carry messages from your CNS to glands and muscles
Function: Cell body
Provides energy for the cell.
Function: Dendrites
receive information from other cells
Function: axon
sends or transmits the action potential to the axon terminal.
Are neurons positively or negatively charge?
resting: -70 mV
Incoming action potentials or signals deliver what kind of charge?
Positive
When neurons receive a big enough charge what happens?
they depolarizes (fire)
Action potential occurs after enough incoming action potentials raises the membrane potential to what?
30 mV
Neurotransmitter is what kind of messenger?
Chemical
What is the refectory period?
the hyperpolarization period where the membrane potential is below -70 mV and can’t fire.
Neurotransmissions need to happen blank and blank
quickly and efficiently
How do neurons ensure rapid transmission of messages?
insulation via the Myelin Sheath
What is the Myelin Sheath?
Type of glial cell (Schwann cell) that wraps itself around the axon.
What are the Nodes of Ranvier?
The gaps or unmyelinated portions of the axon that allow electrical signals to jump from one gap to anther (saltatory conduction)
What happens when an action potential reaches the end of an axon?
synaptic transmission: chemical messengers or neurotransmitters float across the synapse and lock into receptors on the receiving dendrite.
What contains neurotransmitters?
Vesicles
What is the synaptic cleft:
The junction between the receiving neurons receptors and the terminal button.
What is the reuptake process?
The process by which used neurotransmitters are released from the receptors of the receiving neuron and stored in the vesicles again for later use.
T/F you need the correct neurotransmitter to lock into the receptor?
True
What is an Agonists:
Molecules that bind with a receptor and trigger action potentials. Like nicotine (not technically supposed to be there)
Antagonists?
Molecules that bind to a receptor and block other neurotransmitters from binding. like a painkiller that blocks your body’s signals for pain.
Dopamine?
neurotransmitters,
produces sensations of pleasure and reward
voluntary movement
Serotonin?
neurotransmitters
regulates sleep, mood, aggression, appetite and sexual behavoir
Norepinephrine?
neurotransmitters
controls heart rate, mood, stress, and appetite
Acetylcholine?
neurotransmitters
used by neurons carrying messages from the CNS; involved in some kinds of learning and memory
GABA?
neurotransmitters
most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of the CNS.
Glutamine?
neurotransmitters
most common excitatory neurotransmitter
involved in learning and memory
Endorphins?
neurotransmitters
pleasurable sensations and control pain
What happens when you have improper levels of dopamine?
Schizophrenia or Parkinson’s
problems with serotonin production lead to…
Depression, anxiety, OCD
Problems with Norepinephrine production…
Depression
Problems with Acetylcholine production…
Muscular disorders and Alzheimer’s disease
Problems with GABA production…
anxiety and epilepsy
Problems with Glutamine production…
brain damage after stroke
problems with endorphin production…
Lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction
