Module 1.3

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

neural cells that transmit information

Question 2

Glial cells

Answer 2

cells that provide structures, insulation, communication, and waste transport

Question 3

reflex arc

Answer 3

demonstrates how neurons within the central and peripheral nervous systems work together to respond to stimuli

Question 4

sensory neurons

Answer 4

works in the spinal cord alongside motor and interneurons to carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors

Question 5

motor neurons

Answer 5

works in the spinal cord alongside sensory and interneurons to carry outgoing information to the muscles and glands

Question 6

interneurons

Answer 6

works alongside sensory and motor neurons to process sensory inputs and motor outputs

Question 7

Neural transmission

Answer 7

most commonly occurs in an orderly, systematic way that involves the all-or-nothing principle, depolarization, refractory period, resting potential, reuptake, and threshold.

Question 8

all-or-nothing principle

Answer 8

a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing

Question 9

Depolarization

Answer 9

the loss of the inside/outside charge difference causes the next of axon channels to open, and then the next, like falling dominos

Question 10

refractory period

Answer 10

in neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state

Question 11

resting potential

Answer 11

the positive-outside/negative-inside state

Question 12

reuptake

Answer 12

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Question 13

Threshold

Answer 13

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Question 14

Neurotransmitter

Answer 14

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

Question 15

Excitatory

Answer 15

making action potential more likely

Question 16

Inhibitory

Answer 16

making an action potential less likely

Question 17

Dopamine

Answer 17

neurotransmitter that influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. too much linked to schizophrenia; too little linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson’s disease

Question 18

Serotonin

Answer 18

neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. too little is linked to depression

Question 19

Norepinephrine

Answer 19

neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal. undersupply can depress mood

Question 20

Glutamate

Answer 20

a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory. too much can produce migraines or seizures

Question 21

GABA

Answer 21

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter; undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Question 22

Endorphins

Answer 22

natural, opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

Question 23

Substance p

Answer 23

a neuropeptide that acts as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Question 24

Acetylcholine

Answer 24

neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, and memory; the deterioration of ACh-producing neurons is connected to Alzheimer’s disease

Question 25

Hormones

Answer 25

outside of the nervous system they perform actions similar to neurotransmitters

Question 26

Adrenaline

Answer 26

triggers fight-or-flight response

Question 27

Leptin

Answer 27

protein hormone secreted by fat cells; when abundant, causes brain to increase metabolism and decrease hunger

Question 28

Ghrelin

Answer 28

a hunger arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach

Question 29

melatonin

Answer 29

sleep hormone made by the pineal gland

Question 30

oxytocin

Answer 30

Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a key role in social bonds and human behaviors, including: Sexual arousal, Recognition, Trust, Romantic attachment, Parent-infant bonding

Question 31

psychoactive drugs

Answer 31

can influence neurotransmitter function (block, encourage, or discourage)

Question 32

agonists

Answer 32

encourage neural firing

Question 33

antagonists

Answer 33

discourage neural firing

Question 34

stimulants

Answer 34

caffeine and cocaine, typically causes increased neural activity

Question 35

depressants

Answer 35

alcohol, typically causes decreased neural activity

Question 36

hallucinogens

Answer 36

marijuana, typically causes distortions in perception and/or cognition

Question 37

opioids

Answer 37

heroin, typically acts as a pain reliever

Question 38

tolerance

Answer 38

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the used to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

Question 39

addiction

Answer 39

prompts user to crave the drug, to continue use despite adverse consequences, and to struggle when attempting to withdraw from it

Question 40

withdrawal symptoms

Answer 40

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior