Lecture 5 Flashcards
What are glial cells?
Provide structure and nourishment to the brain
Glial cells outnumber neurons 9 to 1.
Define neuroplasticity.
Brain’s ability to change depending on circumstances
What are neuropeptides?
Regulate neuron activity
What is neurogenesis?
Creation of new brain cells
New cells are created deep in the brain and move to the surface.
What are dendrites?
Finger-like structures that bring information to the neurons
What does the cell body/soma contain?
Nucleus, which processes information
What is the axon?
Hallway for information, brings information from cell body to other neurons
What is the role of the myelin sheath?
Speeds up transmission along neuron
What are terminal buttons?
Release information for other neurons
Define synapse.
Space between terminal buttons of one neuron and dendrites of another
What is synaptic pruning?
Eliminate some synaptic connections as you become expert in a task
What are the types of neurons?
- Sensory
- Motor
- Interneurons
- Mirror
What is the difference between afferent and efferent neurons?
- Afferent - to brain
- Efferent - away from brain
What is the function of mirror neurons?
Allow us to mimic
What is the difference between electrical and chemical information transmission?
- Electrical - within single neuron
- Chemical - between neurons
What is action potential?
-70 mV to +40 mV
Occurs at the external barrier/surface of axon.
What ions are involved in action potential?
- Sodium
- Potassium
What is the refractory period?
- Absolute - neuron will not send information again
- Relative - will fire again, needs a stronger signal
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals used to communicate with neurons
Define agonist vs antagonist.
- Agonist - makes neurotransmitter more effective
- Antagonist - makes neurotransmitter less effective
What role does dopamine play in the brain?
Pleasure or reward neurotransmitter
Too much dopamine is associated with schizophrenia, too little with Parkinson’s.
What is serotonin responsible for?
Control negative emotionality, sleep regulation, attention, arousal
Too little is associated with depression, OCD, anorexia.
What does epinephrine do?
Energizing mental state
What is norepinephrine associated with?
Physical and mental alertness/arousal
Dysfunction includes depression and PTSD.
