EXAM 1 Flashcards
Pacemaker Neuron
produces AP all by themselves through LEAKING sodium (ex: cardiac cells in amphibians)
Sensory Cells (Neurons)
rods, cones, etc. that are effected by vibration, temp, pressure, etc.
Physical stimuli that causes sodium to rush INTO the cell
Synapse
chemical aspect in electrochemical machine: one neuron influencing the next neuron
Impulse-Release Coupling
AP (@axon hillock) –> axon –> synaptic vesicles at terminal bouton –> synaptic vesicles fuse with membrane and releases neurotransmitter into synaptic gap –> ion channel opens (if neurotransmitter is right size + orientation) –> ion channel opens and ions of the right size and shape leak
Oligodendrocytes
neuroglia with fewer branches in the CNS that are myelinated with white matter
sends info 10x faster
keeps signal distinct
colocalization
how neurons can do different things based on location and time
Medulla oblongata
vital functions: Heart Rate Diaphragm (Breathing) Blood Pressure Muscle tone Rem Cycle (nonvital but important)
What is the glycine clutch? What is responsible for its release?
Medulla Oblongata releases it during REM-cycle so that you don’t move and get yourself killed
Sleep Paralysis
when glycine clutch doesn’t turn off right away
How do opiates affect the brain differently than THC?
It takes mere DAYS to get addicted to opiates and oxy –> after you get cut off, you need something to replace it (HEROIN AND FENTALYN)
These drugs bind in the Medulla Oblongata, reducing breathing rate and killing neurons (and you)
THC doesn’t bind in the MO
Terms of movement
Kinesia: movement
Akinesia: no movement
Bradykinesia: slow movement
How much of your substantia nigra can you lose before symptoms of this disease shows up?
You can lose 65% of your SN before you get symptoms of Parkinsons – most people don’t get help until 80% because the brain is great at coping (creates more dopamine neurotransmitters and connections to the striatum)
How is addiction related to epigenetics?
Addiction doesn’t change the structure of DNA, but rather the epigenetics (ex: your DNA opened to make two feet, and then that DNA portion closed cause you don’t want extras)
This is why certain drugs like cocaine and opiates are so dangerous: they physiologically change the brain through epigenetics, and you can’t go back
Hypothalamus
Controls Autonomic Nervous system
(Parasympathetic V Sympathetic)
Maintains homeostasis with the Four F’s (feeding, fighting, fleeing, and mating) through energy level, fluid levels, temp, and mating selection
Parasympathetic
“Rest and Digest”
absorbs energy from food and breaks it down
V active in GI tract and when you sit down
Sympathetic Branch
Fight or Flight (men); Tend and Befriend (females)
Half as active in men than women (that’s why when you think the argument is over, it’s NOT)
Hormonal System
Pituary gland (brain's master gland) releases a bunch of hormones and pre-hormones slave to the hypothalamus
Sexual Dimorphic Nucleus
Plays a role in mate selection, females are half the size of males.
Within 153 mammalian species observed, 5-8% of the males are GAYYYYYYYYYYYYY