Lecture 5 Biological Basis of Behavior

Question 1

Central nervous system

Answer 1

Brain, spinal cord, optic nerve, retina

Question 2

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 2

Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, autonomic nervous system, somatic nervous system

Question 3

Neuron (Nerve cells)

Answer 3

The basic cell of the nervous system; High demand for glucose and oxygen, no metabolic reserve

Question 4

Neuron components

Answer 4

cell body, dendrite, axon

Question 5

Glial cells (glia)

Answer 5

Non-neuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional support to the brain

Question 6

Soma (cell body)

Answer 6

Contains dendrites and is connected to the axon via axon hillock. Performs macromolecule synthesis and integrate electrical signals

Question 7

Dendrites

Answer 7

Tapered extensions of the cell body; collects information from other neurons’ axonal terminals

Question 8

Axon

Answer 8

Cylindrical body, can be myelinated or unmyelinated; conducts information to other neurons

Question 9

Axon terminals

Answer 9

Small swellings that are found at the terminal ends of axons; transmits information to other neurons

Question 10

Myelin sheath

Answer 10

Glial cell; increases connection and transmission speed

Question 11

Synaptic vesicle

Answer 11

spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

Question 12

Neurotransmitter

Answer 12

the chemical released from the synaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis for communication between neurons

Question 13

Synapse

Answer 13

An intercellular site where fast, highly localized transmission of chemical and electrical signals occur; includes: pre-synaptic and post-synaptic terminals and the synaptic cleft

Question 14

Types of neurons

Answer 14

Unipolar, Bipolar, Multipolar

Question 15

Resting potential

Answer 15

-70 millivolts across the neural membrane when not being stimulated

Question 16

Depolarization

Answer 16

Reduction of a membrane’s potential so that it becomes less negative

Question 17

Action potential

Answer 17

Electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters

Question 18

Threshold

Answer 18

-55 millivolts; When Na+ concentration is high enough to reach threshold voltage, depolarization occurs

Question 19

Repolarization

Answer 19

Na+ channels close, K+ channels open K+ efflux down electro-chemical gradient

Question 20

Hyperpolarization

Answer 20

“Overshoot” of repolarization

Question 21

Refractory period

Answer 21

Time during which another action potential is impossible; limits the maximal firing rate of the neuron. Too much K+ is released

Question 22

Post-synaptic potential (PSP)

Answer 22

A voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic (-70mV –> -55mV)

Question 23

Inhibitory PSP

Answer 23

A negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials

Question 24

Excitatory PSP

Answer 24

A negative voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials

Question 25

Reuptake

Answer 25

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane

Question 26

Neurotransmitter

Answer 26

A signaling molecule secreted by a neuron or a glial cell to affect another cell across a synapse

Question 27

Amino acids

Answer 27

Glutamate, Aspartate, Glycine, GABA

Question 28

Monoamines

Answer 28

Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin

Question 29

Acetylcholine (group)

Answer 29

Acetylcholine

Question 30

Unconventional neurotransmitters

Answer 30

Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, Anandamide

Question 31

Neural plasticity

Answer 31

the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization in response to stimuli

Question 32

Neural plasticity steps of development

Answer 32

Growth of dendrites and axons, synaptogenesis, pruning, myelination

Question 33

Stem cell

Answer 33

A cell which has the capacity to differentiate into a specialized cell

Question 34

Neurogenesis

Answer 34

Creations of new neurons in the adult brain

Question 35

Meninges

Answer 35

Three protective membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord; Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater