Nervous System

Question 1

Dendrites

Answer 1

• detect and receives information from other neurons
• small out growth - dendritic spines - have receptors where neurons can receive chemical messages from other neurons
• each spine can have multiple types of receptors to receive different neurotransmitters

Question 2

neurotransmitters

Answer 2

chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, organs or other tissues

Question 3

soma

Answer 3

• integrates information from the dendrites
• determines the activation of the neuron and the continuation of transmitting messages to other neurons

Question 4

axon

Answer 4

• transmits neural information to other neurons

Question 5

myelin sheath

Answer 5

• white fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axon
• allows rapid movement of the message along the axon to not be interrupted or distorted

Question 6

axon terminals

Answer 6

• at the end of each axon - collaterals
• at the end of each collaterals - axon terminals
• small knob-like swelling - terminal button - stores neurotransmitters

Question 7

synaptic gap

Answer 7

the tiny gap between neurons

Question 8

synapse

Answer 8

the site where communication occurs between adjacent neurons
components are: synaptic gap, terminal button of the presynaptic neuron (sending), dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron (receiving)

Question 9

post synaptic neuron

Answer 9

neuron that receives the neurotransmitters after it has crossed the synapse

Question 10

pre synaptic neuron

Answer 10

neuron that fires the neurotransmitter as a result of an action potential entering its axon terminal

Question 11

glutamate

Answer 11

• important role in learning and memory
• too much/little can be harmful to neurons and brain functioning

Question 12

gaba

Answer 12

• role is to maintain neurotransmission at an optimal level by controlling the activation of glutamate

Question 13

lock and key process

Answer 13

receptor site = lock
neurotransmitter = key

each neurotransmitter has a chemically distinct shape that has a complementary receptor site

Question 14

Parkinson disease

Answer 14

central nervous system neurodegenerative disorder. Motor symptoms are due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substancia nigra
less neurons = less dopamine
motor symptoms: imbalance, tremors
non motor symptoms: cognitive function, sweating, fatigue

Question 15

dopamine

Answer 15

responsible for carrying messages about smooth muscle movements

Question 16

substancia nigra

Answer 16

controls voluntary muscles movements so they can be executed in a smooth and coordinated manner
eg. balance, walking, talking, writing