Lecture 3 Flashcards
Components of the neuron
Dendrites, cell body, axon
What do the dendrites do?
Receive information from other neurons
What does the cell body do?
Creates Transmitter molecules
Where do transmitters get released from the axon?
At the Terminal buttons
What does myelin do?
Insulates the nerve cell which speeds up conduction of nerve message
Define graded potential
Stimulation of the nerve membrane can open ion channels in the membrane
What do the NA+ ions do
Flow in and depolarize the membrane (from -70mV to -60mV)
What do the potassium ions do?
Flow out of the membrane which leads to hyper polarization (-70mV to -90mV)
Where are graded potentials generated?
At the dendrites and are conducted along the membrane to the axon hillock
How does an action potential occur
If the summated activity at the axon hillock raises the membrane potential past threshold, an action potential will occur
Briefly describe what happens during an action potential
NA+ ions flow into the cell which raises the membrane potential to +40mV which produces a spike. The restoration of the membrane potential to -70M is produced by an opening of channels to K+ and the AP is conducted along the axon towards the terminals
Examples of neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine
Monoamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine and GABA)
Difference between peripheral and central nervous system
PNS: carries information to and from the central nervous system
CNS: directs psychological and basic life processes and responds to stimuli
Difference between somatic and autonomic nervous system in the PNS
Somatic: conveys sensory information to the central nervous system and sends motor messages to muscles
Autonomic: serves basic life functions such as the beating of the heart
What does the CNS consist of?
Brain: directs psychological activity, processes information and maintains life support
Spinal cord: receives sensory input, sends info to brain and responds with motor output
Difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system in autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic: activates the organism, readies the body in response to threat “fight or flight”
Parasympathetic: calms the boys down, maintains energy “rest or digest”
What parts of the brain are in the Midline view of the brain
Medulla: controls heart rate and respiration
Cerebellum: coordinates smooth movements, balance and posture
Pons: involved in the control of sleep
What are the functions of the limbic system?
Septal area is involved in pleasure and in relief from pain
Amygdala is involved in learning and recognition of fear
Hippocampus is involved in memory
Functions of the cerebral cortex
Provides for flexible control of patterns of movement
Permits subtle discrimination among complex sensory patterns
Makes possible symbolic thinning which is the foundation of human thought and language
Cortical lobes of the brain
Frontal lobe: thinking, social skills
Broca’s area: speech production and grammar
Parietal lobe: touch, non verbal thinking
Occipital lobe: vision
Temporal lobe: language, hearing
Wernicke’s area: speech comprehension
Describe what happened to phineas gage
Suffered frontal lobe damage after an accidental involving a dynamite tamping rod at his job as a railroad supervisor. After the accident, he become childish and could not effectively plan or control his impulses
What is the frontal lobe involved in?
Movement, attention, planning, memory and personality
What is the left hemisphere dominant for?
Language, logic and complex motor behaviour
What is the right hemisphere dominant for?
Recognition of faces, places and sounds
Define the split brain study
The corpus callosum serves to integrate the two hemispheres. Cutting it can result in information reaching only one hemisphere
What is the endocrine system?
Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to help control bodily functioning
Where is the hypothalamus connected to?
Pituitary gland which is also called the master gland
Adrenal glands are used for
Fight or flight
Gonads are
Secondary sex characteristics
How does the endocrine system work
Endocrine glands release hormones into blood stream that have effects at diffuse target sites. Hormones bind to the receptors and can have effects such as change in structure and function
