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Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Neurons

A

Specialized cells that transmit and process information from one part of the body to another

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2
Q

Action potential

A

Localized area of depolarization of the plasma membrane

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3
Q

Nerve

A

Large bundle of many different axons from different neurons

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4
Q

Leak channels

A

Channels that are open all the time and allow ions to leak across the membrane according to their gradient
There are a large number of K+ leak channels in the membrane

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5
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Made of Schwann cells

Dramatically speeds the movement of of action potentials by forcing the action potential to jump from node to node

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6
Q

Saltatory conduction

A

Rapid jumping conduction in myelinated axons

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7
Q

Glial cells

A

Specialized, non-neuronal cells that typically provide structural and metabolic support to neurons
Maintain a resting membrane potential but do not generate action potentials

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8
Q

Schwann Cells

A

Found in the PNS

Form myelin - increase speed of conduction on action potentials along axon

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9
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Found in the CNS

Form myelin - increase speed of conduction on action potentials along axon

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10
Q

Astrocytes

A

Found in the CNS
Guide neuronal development
Regulate synaptic communication via regulation of neurotransmitter levels

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11
Q

Microglia

A

Found in the CNS

Remove dead cells and debris

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12
Q

Ependymal cells

A

Found in the CNS

Produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid

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13
Q

Equilibrium potential

A

The membrane potential at which a gradient does not exist

There is no net movement of ions across the membrane

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14
Q

Absolute refractory period

A

a neuron will not fire another action potential no matter how strong a membrane depolarization is induced
Voltage gated Na+ channels have been inactivated after depolarization

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15
Q

Relative refractory period

A

a neuron can be induced to transmit an action potential but the action potential has to be very strong

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16
Q

Synpase

A

a junction between the axon terminus of a neuron and the dendrites, soma, or axon of a second neuron

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17
Q

Electrical synpase

A

The cytoplasms of two cells are joined by gap junctions

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18
Q

Chemical synpase

A

an action potential is converted into a chemical signal

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19
Q

Excitatory

A

Neurotransmitters that induce depolarization in a postsynaptic membrane

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20
Q

Inhibitory

A

Neurotransmitters that induce hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane

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21
Q

Temporal summation

A

A presynaptic neuron fires action potential so rapidly that the EPSPs or IPSPs pile up on top of each other

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22
Q

Spatial summation

A

EPSPs and IPSPs from all of the synapses on the postsynaptic membrane are summed at a given moment in time

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23
Q

Motor neurons

A

Carry information from the nervous system toward organs which can act upon that information

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24
Q

Somatic division

A

Conscious sensation and deliberate, voluntary movement of skeletal muscle

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25
Autonomic division
Portion concerned with digestion, metabolism, circulation, perspiration, and other involuntary processes
26
Ganglia
Somas located outside the CNS
27
Cerebrospinal Fluid
a clear liquid that serves various functions such as shock absorption and exchange of nutrients and waste with the CNS
28
Spinal Cord
Pathway for information to and from the brain Site for information processing and integration Responsible for simple spinal reflexes and involved in primitive processes such as walking, urination, and sex organ function
29
Medulla Oblongata (Hindbrain)
Area of the brain that connects to the spinal cord Functions in relaying information between other areas of the brain, and regulates vital autonomic functions such as blood pressure and digestive functions (including vomiting) Respiratory rhythmic centers are found here
30
Pons (Hindbrain)
The connection point between the brain stem and the cerebellum Control some autonomic functions and coordinate movement Plats a role in balance and antigravity posture
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Cerebellum (Hindbrain)
Integrating center where complex movements are coordinated
32
Midbrain
Relay for visual and auditory information and contains much of the reticular activating system (RAS) which is responsible for arousal or wakefulness
33
Brainstem
Consists of the medulla, pons, and midbrain | Contains important processing centers and relaying information to or from the cerebellum and cerebrum
34
Thalamus
Part of the diencephalon | Contains relay and processing centers for sensory information
35
Hypothalamus
Part of the diencephalon Contains centers for controlling emotions and autonomic functions Has a major role in hormone production and release The primary link between the nervous and the endocrine systems Fundamental control center for the endocrine system
36
Left hemisphere
Responsible for speech
37
Right hemisphere
More concerned with visual-spatial reasoning and music
38
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain and consists of the large, paired cerebral hemispheres
39
Cerebral hemispheres
Responsible for conscious thought processes and intellectual functions Play a role in processing somatic sensory and motor information
40
Frontal lobe
Initiate all voluntary movement and are involved in complex reasoning skills and problem solving
41
Parietal lobe
Involved in general sensations (such as touch, temperature, pressure, vibration) and gustation
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Temporal lobe
Process auditory and olfactory sensation and are involved in short-term memory, language comprehension, and emotion
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Occipital lobe
Process visual sensation
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Basal Nuclei
Function in voluntary motor control and procedural learning related to habits Work together with the cerebellum to process and coordinate movement intitated by the primary motor cortex
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Limbic System
Works closely with part of the cerebrum, diencephalon, and midbrain Important in emotion and memory
46
Vagus nerve
Decrease the heart rate and increase the GI activity | Part of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
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Somatic motor neurons
Innervate skeletal muscle cells Use Ach as their neurotransmitter Have their cell bodies in the ventral aspect of the spinal cord Have long dendrites extending from the sensory receptor toward the soma, which is located just outside the CNS in a dorsal root ganglion
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Meninges
Protective sheath of the brain and cord
49
Preganglionic neuron
Has its cell body in the brainstem or spinal cord Send an axon to an autonomic ganglion located outside the spinal column ALL autonomic preganglionic neurons release Ach
50
Postganglionic neuron
Send an axon to an effector (smooth muscle or gland) Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release Ach Sympathetic postganglionic neurons release NE
51
Sympathetic
All preganglionic efferent neurons have their cell bodies in the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spinal cord Also called thoracolumbar system
52
Parasympathetic
All preganglionic neurons have their cell bodies in the brainstem or in the lowest portion of the spinal cord, the sacral portion Also called the craniosacral system
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Adrenal cortex
``` Important endocrine gland Secretes glucocorticoids (cortisol), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), and some sex hormones ```
54
Adrenal medulla
Part of the sympathetic nervous system | Release epinephrine/adrenaline
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Sensation
Act of receiving information
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Perception
Act of organizing, assimilating, and interpreting the sensory output into useful and meaningful information
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Exteroreceptors
Receptors that detect stimuli from the outside world
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Interoreceptors
Receptors that respond to internal stimuli
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Mechanoreceptors
Respond to mechanical disturbances
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Pacinian corpuscles
Pressure sensors located deep in the skin
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Auditory hair cell
Specialized cell found in the cochlea of the inner ear | Detects vibrations caused by sound waves
62
Chemoreceptors
Respond to particular chemicals
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Nociceptors
Pain receptors Stimulated by tissue injury Can be autonomic or somatic Do not adapt under any circumstances
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Thermoreceptors
Stimulated by changes in temperature
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Electromagnetic receptors
Stimulated by electromagnetic waves | Ex. Rods and cones of the retina
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Stimulus modality
The type of stimulus | Determined by the CNS based on the type of receptor that is firing
67
Stimulus location
Communicated by the receptive field of the sensory receptor sending the signal
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Stimulus sensitivity
Coded by the frequency of the action potentials
69
Stimulus duration
Subject to adaptation and the frequency of action potentials decreases as the stimulus continues at the same level
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Tonic receptors
Fire action potentials as long as the stimulus continues
71
Phasic receptors
Only fire action potentials when the stimulus begins Do not explicitly communicate the duration of the stimulus Important for communication change in stimuli
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Proprioreceptors
Awareness of self
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Muscle Spindle
A sensory organ specialized to detect muscle stretch
74
Golgi tendon organs
monitor tension in the tendons
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Joint capsule receptors
detect pressure, tension, and movement in the joints
76
Phermones
Chemical signals that cause a social response in members of the same species
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Parallel processing
Many aspects of a visual stimulus are processed simultaneously instead of in a step-by-step or serial fashion
78
Absolute threshold
The minimum stimulus intensity required to activate a sensory receptor 50% of the time Important for detecting the presence or absence of stimulus
79
Difference threshold
the minimum noticeable difference between any two sensory stimuli 50% of the time
80
Hormone
A molecule which is secreted into the bloodstream by an endocrine gland, and which has its effects on distant target cells possessing the appropriate receptor
81
Hypothalamus
Hormone: releasing and inhibiting factors (peptides) | Target/effect: anterior pituitary/modify activity

Biology (9 decks)

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