Module 5: Neurons and Transmitters Flashcards
Dendrites
the antennae taking information from other neurons/cells, extend out from soma (cell body)
Cell Body
information is aggregated in here and making a decision on whether it will fire and have an action potential
axon
long extension that goes to another neuron or muscle (can be one of the largest cells in the body)
- signal is propagated down the length
- main source of output, covered in insulating substance called myelin sheath
Synapse
the end of an acon, secretes chemicals into the gap and will get taken up by the next dendrites
Neurotransmitters
can be inhibitory and excitatory
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter
GABA
alcohol mimic effects of GABA in your brain (sleepy, relaxed, slurred speech)
Excitatory Neurotransmitter
glutamate
alcohol can disrupt glutamate
Nervous System
Central NS (brain and spinal cord) Peripheral NS (projects from spinal cord to rest of body) Automatic NS (sympathetic and Parasympathetic)
the brain on love…
- flooded by vague sensations transmitted by the vagus nerve
- oxytocin: neuropeptide that adopts a central role in reproduction, seals lasting bond between mom and baby, plays a major role in social interactions and parental behavior
Vasopresisn vs. Oxytocin
V - associated with physical and emotional mobilization, in presence of threat, males may experience higher levels of vasopressin
O - immobility without fear, relaxed, sexual behavior, can facilitate adult neurogenesis and tissue repair
Soma
houses nucleus, contains genetic info, directs protein synthesis, supplies energy and resources the cell needs to function
Terminal Button
end of an axon, which forms synapses with spines on the dendrites of neurons
Synaptic Gap
5 nm between presynaptic terminal button and postsynaptic Dendritic Spine
Synaptic Vesicles
package together groups of chemicals called neurotransmitters
Sensory Neurons
help us get info
Motor Neurons
allow us to initiate movement and behavior
Interneurons
process the sensory input from our environment into meaningful representations, plan appr response, and connect to the motor neurons to execute these behavior plans
Unipolar Neurons
Ideal for relaying information forward
- One Neurite and No Dendrites
Bipolar Neurons
Sensory perception
- One Axon and one dendrite
Multipolar
communicate sensory and motor info
- One axon and many dendrites
Oligodendroglia
wrap their dendritic processes around the axons of neurons many times to form
Microglia and Astrocytes
- digest debris of dead neurons
- carry nutritional support from blood vessels to neurons
- help regulate the ionic composition of extracellular fluid
Anions (A-)
- highly concentrated in cell
- impermeable to membrane
- no ion channels that allow for movement
Potassium (K+)
- very permated to potassium at rest,
- high concentrations inside cell
- diffusion pushes it out, EP pushes it in
Chloride (Cl-)
- very permeated at rest
- high concetration outside cell
- dif pushes it in, EP pushes it out
Sodium (Na+)
- NOT very permated
- dif pushes it in, EP pushes it in
- high concentration outside cell
- removed by sodium-potassium pump (uses neuron energy to pump 3 Na+ ions out and 2 K+ ions in)
Action Potential
large transient current,
