Dot Point 3 Flashcards
What is the function of the nervous system?
The nervous system consists of billions of neurons that receive information, process the information and coordinate a response.
What are the three main parts of a neuron?
Dendrites, soma (cell body), and axon.
What do dendrites do?
They receive information from other neurons and pass it to the cell body.
What is the function of the axon?
It carries information from the cell body to other neurons
What are axon terminals (terminal buttons)?
They secrete neurotransmitters to send signals to the next neuron.
What is myelin, and what does it do?
A fatty sheath that insulates the axon, allowing faster and more efficient transmission of information.
What happens when myelin is damaged
It disrupts neural transmission
What is a synapse?
A communication point between neurons, consisting of the synaptic gap, axon terminals of the pre-synaptic neuron, and receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron’s dendrites.
What role do neurotransmitters play?
They are chemical substances that transmit signals between neurons.
What are the three types of neurons and their functions?
Sensory Neurons -
Transmit sensory information to the CNS. Detect external and internal stimuli (e.g., temperature, pain, pressure).
Motor Neurons -
Carry messages from the CNS to muscles, organs, and glands to control movement,
Enable voluntary and involuntary actions (e.g., moving your hand, heartbeat regulation).
Interneurons-
Exist only in the CNS and connect sensory and motor neurons.
Process information and coordinate responses, including reflex actions.
What is neural plasticity?
The brain’s ability to change its neural structure and function due to experience throughout life.
Why is neural plasticity important?
It enables learning, memory and formation
How does synaptic plasticity affect learning?
Strengthened pathways improve learning and memory, while weakened pathways eliminate unused connections.
What is Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)?
Long-Term Potentiation is the long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections due to repeated activation.
What are the structural changes caused by LTP?
Dendrites and become longer and bushier.
More axon terminals sprout, increasing synaptic connections and neurotransmitter release.
How does LTP help learning?
It makes retrieving information easier, improves application, and reduces forgetting.
What is Long-Term Depression (LTD)?
A long-lasting weakening of neural connections due to lack of stimulation.
Why is LTD important for learning?
It eliminates unused connections, preventing clutter and allowing space for new learning.
What principle does LTD follow?
Use it or lose it.” Unused skills or memories weaken over time.
What are the structural changes caused by LTD?
Dendrites are pruned.
Axon terminals retract.
Reduced neurotransmitter release.
What are the functional changes caused by LTD?
Slower transmission of messages.
Weaker influence of neurotransmitters.
How does the brain recover from damage?
Neurons reroute connections, forming new pathways to restore function.
What is pruning?
Pruning is the process of eliminating weak or unused synaptic connections between neurons. It follows the “use it or lose it” principle.
What is sprouting?
Sprouting is the growth of new dendritic branches or axon terminals in response to learning. It allows neurons to form new synaptic connections.
What is rerouting?
Rerouting is a form of neural plasticity where an undamaged neuron forms a new connection with another active neuron to compensate for lost or damaged neural pathways.
