Exam 1 Flashcards
 nerve cells that form the brain spinal cord and nerves that transmit electrical signals throughout the body
Neurons
Cell body of a neuron containing all the organelles needed to maintain the cell
Soma
Projections from the soma that receive signals and information from other cels
Dendrites
Long tubular extension from the soma of the nerve cell that conducts electrical signals away from the cel body and toward the axon terminals
Axon
The segment of axon adjacent to the soma where the action potential is first generated
Axon hillock
Small enlargements at the axon terminal, in close proximity to the postsynaptic cell, containing synaptic vesicles. Also known as boutons
Terminal buttons
Chemical substances packaged in synaptic vesicles and released by neurons to communicate across synapses with other neurons , muscles cells, secretory cells, or cells comprising other tissues/organs
Neurotransmitters
A fatty insulating sheath surrounding many axons that increases the speed of nerve conduction. It is produced by oligondendrocytes in the CNS and by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system
Myelin
Ion channels that are normally in a closed configuration that can be opened momentarily by specific stimuli
Gated channels
Type of ion channels that are regulated by volatage differences across the membrane
Voltage-gated channels
Group of ion channels that are regulated by a ligand binding to a receptor site associated with that channel
Ligand-gated channels
Glial cells that myelinate perirpheral nerve axons
Schwann cells
Star shaped glial cells that have numerous extensions and that modulate the chemical environment around neurons, metabolically assist neurons, and provide phagocytosis for cellular debris
Astrocytes
Small nonneuronal cels in the CNS that collect at points of cell damage or inflammation and demonstrate phagocytosis behavior
Microglia
The difference in the electrical charge inside a neuron at rest compared to the outside. The inside of the cell is more negative, and that potential is -70mV
Resting membrane potential
Force drawing an ion to either side of the cell membrane in an attempt to balance or neutralize ionic charges
Electrostatic pressure
Major depolarization generated in the axon hillock that is transmitted down the axon
Action potential
Membrane potential, typically -50mV, at which voltage gated NA+ channels will open, generating an action potential
Threshold
Small localized short-lived change in voltage across the cell membrane following the opening of ligand-gated channels
Local potentials
Change in membrane potential making the inside of the cell more positive, increasing the likelihood that the cel will have an action potential
Depolarization
Change in membrane potential making the inside of a cell more negative relative to the resting potential, reducing the likelihood that the cell will fire an action potential
Hyperpolerization
Small localized membrane depolarizations of a post synaptic neuron that result from neurotransmitters binding to specific receipts that open ion channels. Move the membrane potential closer to the threshold for firing
Excitatory post - synaptic potentials (EPSPs)
Hyperolarzing responses of a postsynaptic cell typically resulting from neurotransmitter-mediated ion channel opening
Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs)
Process at the axon hillock whereby several small depolarizations or hyperpolerizations will summary to create a larger change in membrane potential. Because of the same additive effects, simultaneous depolarizations and hyperpolarizations tend to cancel each other out
Integration
Located toward the top of the brain and back of the body in humans
Dorsal
Located toward the underside of the brain or front of the body in humans
Ventral
Located near the top of the brain in humans
Superior
Located toward the underside of the brain in humans
Inferior
Located near the front or head there be or an organism
Anterior
Located near the front or head end of the nervous system
Rostral
Located near the back or rear of the nervous system
Posterior
The tail end of the nervous system is caudal or posterior
Caudal
Located near the center or midline of the body or brain
Medial
Located to either side of the body or brain
Lateral
Division of the automatic nervous system responsible for providing energy expenditure to deal with a challenge by triggering the “fight-or flight” response: increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, stimulating adrenaline secretion, and increasing blood flow to skeletal muscles
Sympathetic division
Division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for conserving energy, digestion, glucose and nutrient storage, slowing the heart rate, and decreasing respiration
Parasympathetic division
Component of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of the body movements via the use of skeletal muscles
Somatic nervous system
Component to the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion , and sexual arousal
Autonomic
Portion of the brain, consisting of the medulla, pons, and midbrain
Brainstem
Structure located in the caudal brain stem responsible for regulating heart rate, digestion, respiration, blood pressure, coughing, and vomiting
Medulla
Large structure of the metebcephalon that is located on the dorsal surface of the brain and that is connected to the pond by the cerebellar peduncles. It is an important sensorimotor control center of the brain
Cerebellum
Larg st part of the brain stem located under the midbrain and above medulla onlongata. Handles unconscious processes and jobs, such as sleep wake cycle and breathing
Pons
Structure of the diencephalon that is responsible for processing and distributing sensory and notes signals to the appropriate section of the cerebral cortex
Thalamus
Structure of the diencephalon (which is part of the forebrain) located at the base of the brain., ventral to the thalamus. It provides many functions important for survival, including the maintenance of body temperature and salt balance, regulation of hunger and thirst, control of the ANS and pituitary gland, and modulation of emotional responses
Hypothalmus
Nuclei of the telencephalon that includes the caudate, putamen, and Globus pallidus, help regulate motor control
Basal ganglia
Neural network that integrates emotional responses and regulates motivated behavior, reinforcement, and learning. Some major structures include the limbic cortex, amygdala, nucleus acumbens, and hippocampus
Limbic system
Small groves of the cerebral cortex
Sulci
Bulges of tissue between the grooves in the cerebral cortex
Gyri
Deep grooves of the cerebral cortex
Fissures
Large pathway connecting corresponding areas of the two brain hemispheres, allowing communication between each half of the brain
Corpus callosum
One of the four lobes. It contains the somatosensory cortex and helps integrate information about body senses
Partial lobe
The lobe that contains the visual cortex and helps integrate visual info
Occipital lobe
The lobe that contains the auditory cortex and helps integrate auditory information
Temporal lobe
The lobe responsable for movement and executive planning
Frontal lobe
What is the difference between a ligand-gated channel and voltage-gated channel ?
The differences lie in their activation mechanisms and functions. Ligand channels are activated by ligand binding and are involved in chemical signaling and synaptic transmission. In contrast, voltage-gated channels are activated by changes in membrane potential and are important for the initiation of action potentials in neurons
