Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physiology > Nervous System > Flashcards

Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

types of CNS synapses

A

axo-dendritic (most common): nerve A axon to nerve B dendrite
axo-somatic: nerve A axon to nerve B soma (cell body)
axo-axonic: nerve A axon to nerve B axon
dendro-dendritic: nerve A dendrite to nerve B dendrite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

sensory neurons

A

-specialized cells or nerve endings located throughout the body
-detect and process sensory information
-afferent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

order of information movement in CNS

A
  1. spinal cord
  2. pons and mesencephalon
  3. cerebellum
  4. thalamus
  5. cerebral cortex
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

the motor system controls…

A

-skeletal and smooth muscle
-secretion of active chemicals by exocrine & endocrine glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

integrative functioning

A

channelling and processing of information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

communication role of synapses

A

amplify or dampen signals
integrate inputs from multiple neurons
shape the overall output of the postsynaptic neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

functions of the spinal cord

A

-conduit for information
-spinal reflex arcs
-sensory integration
-proprioception
-basic locomotion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

functions of the subcortical brain

A

-regulate fundamental physiological processes
-emotional responses
-motor control
-maintain overall homeostasis & survival

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

areas of the subcortical brain

A

medulla
pons
mesencephalon
hypothalamus
thalamus
cerebellum
basal ganglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

functions of the cortical brain

A

-wide range of cognitive functions
-sensory processing
-motor control
-memory
-language
-higher order thinking
-complex mental abilities and conscious

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

actions on nerve impulses

A

-blocked in transmission
-changed to repetitive impulses
-integrated with impulses from other neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

chemical synapse

A

-no direct physical connection between pre and post-synaptic neurons
-neurotransmitters act on the post-synaptic neuron
-transmitter vesicles and mitochondria are key
-one-way conduction from pre to post-synaptic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

excitatory NTs

A

glutamate
histamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

inhibitory NTs

A

GABA
serotonin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

modulatory NTs

A

acetylcholine
dopamine
norepinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

electrical synapse

A

direct physical contact (gap junction) between the pre and post-synaptic neurons

17
Q

action at synapse

A

-depolarization from action potential
-voltage-gated Ca++ channels open
-Ca++ enters the pre-synaptic neuron
-synaptic vesicles fuse
-NT is released

18
Q

cation

A

positively charged ion
-usually Na+, sometimes K+ or Ca++

19
Q

anion

A

negatively charged ion
-mainly Cl-

20
Q

ionotropic receptors

A

activated receptors that are ion channels

21
Q

metabotropic receptors

A

G-protein and/or second messenger involved

22
Q

second messenger

A

inside the postsynaptic neuronal cell causing a prolonged effect or excitation or inhibition

23
Q

excitation

A

increase Na+ conduction through channels
decrease K+ conduction through channels

24
Q

inhibition

A

increase Cl- ions into the neuron
increase K+ ions out of the neuron

25
Q

chemicals that function as synaptic transmitters

A

-small molecule, rapidly acting transmitters: Ach, NE, Epi, Dopa, GABA, ATP, NO, CO
-neuropeptides (slow acting & more potent): luteinizing hormone, growth hormone, oxytocin, substance P, insulin, glucagon, vasopressin

26
Q

important small molecule transmitters

A

Ach: secreted by neurons in many areas, mostly excitatory, inhibits vagus nerve
NE: secreted by neurons w/cell bodies in the brain stem and hypothalamus, increases wakefulness
Dopa: secreted by neurons originated in substantial nigra, usually inhibitory
Glycine: secreted mainly in spinal cord, inhibitory
GABA: primary inhibitory NT in CNS
Glutamate: likely always causes excitation
Serotonin: inhibitor of pain pathways in the cord, controls mood

27
Q

presynaptic inhibition

A

inhibitory neuron provides synaptic input to the axon of another neuron ( less likely to fire an AP)

28
Q

synaptic transmission fatigue

A

a synapse becomes less effective at transmitting signals over time (mainly exhaustive stores of transmitters)

29
Q

alkalosis & synaptic transmission

A

-greatly increases neuronal excitability
-can lead to cerebral epileptic seizures

30
Q

acidosis & synaptic transmission

A

-greatly depresses neuronal activity
-causes a comatose state
-ex: DKA or uremic acidosis

31
Q

hypoxia & synaptic transmission

A

-can cause complete in-excitability of some neurons
-3-7 seconds patient becomes unconscious

32
Q

drugs & synaptic transmission

A

increase excitability: caffeine, theophylline, theobromine
increase TP: many anesthetics

33
Q

synaptic delay

A

brief time lapse between the arrival of an AP and the initiations of postsynaptic response

Physiology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions