Module 4: Neural and Hormonal Systems

Question 1

name the parts of the neuron, and how many there are

Answer 1

1. dendrite fibers
2. axon
3. axon terminals
4. myelin sheath
5. Schwan celll
6. node of ranvier
7. cell body
8. nucleus

Question 2

Dendrite fibers

Answer 2

• receive infoo, sent it to the cell body (the strands going outward from the central mass)

Question 3

axons

Answer 3

Axons - sends messages to other neurons (long, sometimes several feet throughout the body, single thick strand attached to cell body)

Question 4

axon terminals

Answer 4

Axon terminal - where the axon “terminates,” or ends and spreads out into multiple branches connecting to other cells

Question 5

myelin sheath

Answer 5

fatty tissue in segments covering the axon that insulates and speeds up impulses, and up to about 25 years (where they stop being created) brain efficiency, judgement, and SELF-CONTROL increase
-if degraded, communication to muscle slows and is eventually lost (multiple sclerosis)

Question 6

action potential

Answer 6

the electric charge that moves down the axon in response to input from a chemical signal or sensory stimulation. these impulses can be 2 - 180 mph in speed, but often take a quarter of a second for a full reaction. (also elephants react slower because their bodies are larger and it takes longer for the nerves to do their thing)

Question 7

Resting potential/resting pause/refractory period

Answer 7

at rest, axons contain negatively charged ions within the internal fluod, with the fluid outside containing positively charged sodium ions
- surface is SELECTIVELY PERMEABLE, (selects certain molecules to let in, keeps out others)
- axon opens up, depolarizing a section, and thus causing the next section down the line to depolarize until the axon terminal is reached
-

Question 8

excitatory vs inhibitory signals

Answer 8

speed up vs. slow down neuron firings

Question 9

How does an action potential occur int terms of excitatory and inhibitory signals?

Answer 9

if exceed a minimum threshold of excitatory/inhibitory then action potential impulse is triggered (but not more or less, its a true/false process)

Question 10

What is different in the neuron firings of a punch vs. a light tap?

Answer 10

amount of fired neurons (either a true or a false on firing, no “strength” of electrical signal)

Question 11

Resting PAUSE/refratctory period

Answer 11

axion opens up its channels to pump out the positive sodium ions back outside of the neuron

Question 12

where does the neural signalling hit the neuron? what carries it out to reh rest of the neuron?

Answer 12

dendrites listen, axions carry/speak to other parts of the neuron from there

Question 13

Phrenology

Answer 13

feeling the shape of the skull to determine psychological traits and ailments (does not work)

Question 14

Biological perspective

Answer 14

Biology and behavior/psychological events linked (ex. adaptive brain = strengthened synaptic connections via experiences that are repeated)

Question 15

on smaller scales, can monkey and human brain tissue be differentiated

Answer 15

nah dude

Question 16

How many neurons in your brain?

Answer 16

86 billion

Question 17

true/false: animals that are larger have longer reaction times (and explain why)

Answer 17

true, as neurons have finite speeds at which they can transmit messages

Question 18

reuptake

Answer 18

after action potential reaches axon terminal and triggers neurotransmitter release, the neuron reabsorves neurotransmitters that didn’t find receptors

Question 19

True/false:
the human brain produces its own opiates that elevate mood and ease pain

Answer 19

true

Question 20

True/false:
the brain accounts for a larger % of body mass in humans than any other species

Answer 20

false

Question 21

True/false:
electrically stimulating a cats brain at a certain point can cause it to cower in fear in the presence of a small pony

Answer 21

true

Question 22

True/false:
both humans and animals have reward centers in they brain

Answer 22

rue

Question 23

True/false:
we only use 10% of our brains

Answer 23

false

Question 24

True/false:
some people can write but cant read

Answer 24

true

Question 25

True/false:
if a blind person uses a finger to read braille, the part of the brain dedicated to that finger “expands”

Answer 25

true

Question 26

True/false:
adult humans cant generate new brain cells

Answer 26

false

Question 27

True/false:
some people have split hemispheres with no apparent ill effect

Answer 27

true

Question 28

endorphins

Answer 28

natural “opiates” that help with pain and mood, morphine basically

Question 29

when using artificial opiates/other neurotransmitters, your existing production equilibrium of neurotransmitters becomes greater
True/false:

Answer 29

false, the more you use a substance the less your body produces naturally (addiction)

Question 30

agonist vs antagonist molecules

Answer 30

agonist: drugs, high from amplifying normal sensation of excitement/pleasure and ACTIVATES neurons
antagonist:blocks neurotransmitters

both match the receptors, even tho not the right neurotransmitter molecule the receptors are made for

Question 31

central nervous system vs peripheral nervous system

Answer 31

central:
brain and spinal cord, makes decisions for the body and organism

peripheral:
sensor and motor neurons, connects central to rest of body to transmit sense and input back and forth

Question 32

interneurons

Answer 32

neurons in central nervous system that intervene and communicate between inputs and outputs

Question 33

WITHIN THE PERIPHERAL: somatic/autonomic nervous system

Answer 33

somatic: voluntary muscle movements
autonomic: glands, internal organ muscles, etc.

Question 34

WITHIN THE AUTONOMIC: sympathetic and parasymthatetic nervous system

Answer 34

sympathetic:
SPENDER - accelerates heartbeat, slow digestion, higher blood pressure. uses energy for if something challenges us

parasympathetic:
CONSERVER - slower heartbeat, lower blood sugar, etc.

Question 35

motor and sensory neurons

Answer 35

motor: output
sensory: snese input

Question 36

SECOND COMMUNICATINO SYSTEM: endocrine system - what do they release, how does it travel, and what does it do?

ALSO
True/false:
nervous system is the “slow” transmission system, and the endocrine system is the case one

Answer 36

1. secretes hormones which travel in the blood
2. affects interest in food, sex, and aggression
3. longer lasting effects and takes longe than nervous, so FALSE

Question 37

pituitary gland

Answer 37

most influential part of the endocrine systyem, regulates growth and other glands in endocrine “the master gland”

Question 38

depolarization vs. refractory period

Answer 38

depolarization is the process which causes the action potential to move up the neuron, whereas the refractory period is the “reload” AFTER a depolarization (neuron closed)