Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

Information processing steps

A
  1. Sensory input
  2. Integration
  3. Motor output
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2
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Function in transmitting information from external stimuli

Afferent: bringing in info

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3
Q

Interneurons

A

Function in integration of sensory information

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4
Q

Motor neurons

A

Function in triggering muscle or gland activity

Efferent: sending out info

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5
Q

Central nervous system

A

Portion of nervous system where signal processing and integration takes place
Includes brain and nerve cord

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6
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Portion of nervous system that carries information in and out of the CNS

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7
Q

Nerves

A

Neurons of PNS bundled together
Information transfer
Afferent (signals into CNS) and efferent (signals out of CNS)

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8
Q

Cell body (soma)

A

Location of most of neuron’s organelles

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9
Q

Dendrites

A

Highly branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons

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10
Q

Axon

A

Long extension that transmits signals to other cells at synapses

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11
Q

Axon hillock

A

Cone-shaped base of axon (place where axon is attached to cell body)

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12
Q

Synaptic terminal

A

End of axon

Passes information across the synapse

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13
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers

Information that is transmitted across synapse

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14
Q

Synapse

A

Junction between an axon and another cell

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15
Q

Flow of information transfer

A

Info is transmitted from presynaptic cell (neuron) to postsynaptic cell (neuron, muscle, or gland cell)

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16
Q

Glial cells

A

Nourish or insulate neurons

17
Q

Membrane potential

A

Cell’s voltage difference across its membrane

Changes in this act as signals

18
Q

Resting potential definition

A

Membrane potential of a neuron not sending signals

19
Q

Resting potential of a mammalian neuron

A

K+ is highest inside cell
Na+ is highest outside cell
Many open K+ channels, but fewer open Na+ channels: K+ diffuses outside of cell (resulting buildup of negative charge is major source of membrane potential)

20
Q

Sodium-potassium pumps

A

Use energy of ATP to maintain K+ and Na+ gradients across plasma membrane (chemical potential energy)

21
Q

Opening of ion channels in plasma membrane

A

Conversion of chemical potential to electrical potential

22
Q

Gated ion channels

A

Open or close in response to stimuli, causing changes in membrane potential

23
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

Increase in magnitude of membrane potential (increase in negative charge)
Caused by opening of gated K+ channels: K+ diffuses out of cell, making inside of cell more negative

24
Q

Depolarization

A

Reduction in magnitude of membrane potential

Opening other types of ion channels (ex: Na+) counteracts hyperpolarization

25
Q

Graded potential

A

Changes in polarization where the magnitude of the change varies with the strength of the stimulus

26
Q

Action potential

A

Massive change in membrane voltage caused by a large shift in membrane potential by depolarization
Constant magnitude, all-or-none, transmit signals over long distances

27
Q

Voltage-gated ion channels

A

Open or close when the membrane potential passes a certain level

28
Q

Action potential steps

A
  1. Resting potential (voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels are closed)
  2. Voltage-gated Na+ channels open: Na+ flows into cell
  3. Rising phase: threshold is crossed and membrane potential increases
  4. Falling phase: voltage-gated Na+ channels become deactivated and voltage-gated K+ channels open, causing K+ to flow out of cell
  5. Undershoot: membrane permeability to K+ is higher than normal, and then voltage-gated K+ channels close and resting potential is restored
  6. Refractory period: second action potential cannot be initiated (temporary inactivation of Na+ channels)