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Biology for the MCAT :) > Nervous System > Flashcards

Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurons

A

Specialized cells capable of transmitting electrical impulses and then translating those into chemical signals

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

Part of the Neuron:

Receive incoming messages from other cells

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3
Q

Cell Body (Soma)

A

Part of the Neuron:

Where nucleus, ER and ribosomes are located

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4
Q

Axon Hillock

A

Part of the Neuron:

Integrates incoming signals and plays and important role in action potentials

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5
Q

Action Potentials

A

Part of the Neuron:

Transmission of all-or-nothing electrical impulses down the axon

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6
Q

Axon

A

Part of the Neuron:

Long appendage

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7
Q

Myelin

A

Part of the Neuron:

Insulates the nerve fibers to prevent signal loss or crossing of signals

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8
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

Part of the Neuron:

Maintain electrical signal within one neuron and increases speed of conduction in the axon

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9
Q

Schwann Cells

A

Glial Cell: Part of the Neuron:

Produce myelin around axons in peripheral nervous system

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10
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Glial Cell:

Produce myelin around the axons in central nervous system

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11
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Part of the Neuron:

Small breaks in the myelin sheath which expose the axon membrane and are critical for rapid signal conduction

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12
Q

Nerve Terminals (Synaptic Bouton)

A

Part of the Neuron:

Maximize neurotransmission to the next neuron and ensure proper release of neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

Small space between neurons

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14
Q

Synapse

A

Nerve Terminal + Synaptic Cleft + Post Synaptic Membrane

  • Where neurotransmitters release from axon terminal transverse the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors
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15
Q

Nerves

A

Multiple neurons bundled together - can be sensory, motor or mixed (depending on the type of info. they carry)

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16
Q

Tracts

A

Axons bundled together BUT can carry only one type of information

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17
Q

Astrocyte

A

Glial Cell:
Nourish neurons and form the blood brain barrier which controls the transmission of solutes from the blood stream into the nervous tissue

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18
Q

Ependymal Cells

A

Glial Cell:
Line the ventricles of the brain and produce the cerebrospinal fluid which physically supports the brain and serves as a shock absorber

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19
Q

Microglia

A

Glial Cell:

Phagocytic cells that ingest and breakdown waste products and pathogens in the central nervous system

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20
Q

Glial Cells

A
  • Astrocytes
  • Schwann Cells
  • Oligodendrocyte
  • Microglia
  • Ependymal Cells
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21
Q

Resting Membrane Potential

A

Potential difference between the inside of the neuron and the extracellular space (about -70mV) with inside of the neuron being negative

22
Q

Na+ / K+ ATPase

A

Restore [ ] gradient transporting 3Na+ out of the cell for every 2K+ into the cell at the expense of 1 ATP.

23
Q

Depolarization

A

Caused by excitatory input (if enough to reach the threshold causes an action potential) to raise membrane potential (mV)

24
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

Caused by inhibitory input lowering the membrane potential

25
Q

Summation

A

Additive effects of multiple signals

26
Q

Temporal Signals

A

Type of Summation:

Multiple signals integrated during a short period of time

27
Q

Spatial Signals

A

Type of Summation:

Additive effects based on the location of incoming signals

28
Q

Steps of an Action Potential

A
  1. Voltage gated Na channels open and Na passes through into the cell making the membrane potential + and rapidly depolarizing
  2. Voltage approaches + 35mV and Na channels become inactivated triggering the voltage gated K+ channels to open
  3. Repolarization - K+ driven out of the cell and there is a restoration of the negative membrane potential
  4. Hyperpolarization - K+ Efflux overshoots the resting potential and makes the neuron refractory to further action potentials
  5. Na+ / K+ ATPase restores membrane potential and [ ] gradients
29
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

No amount of stimulation can cause an action potential

30
Q

Relative Refractory Period

A

Greater than normal stimulation can cause action potentials

31
Q

Impulse Propagation

A

Action potential much travel down the axon and initiate the neurotransmitter release

**info. can only flow in one direction

32
Q

Length of Axon

A

Longer the axon the higher the resistance and the slower the conduction of signals

33
Q

Cross Sectional Area of Axon

A

Greater cross sectional area allows faster propagation of signals due to decreased resistance

34
Q

Saltatory Conduction

A

Membrane is only permeable at the nodes of ranvier - Signal “hops” from node to node

35
Q

Neurotransmitters in Synaptic Cleft

A

Must be regulated / removed form synaptic cleft

  • Broken down by enzymatic reactions
  • Reuptake carriers bring them back to the presynaptic neuron
  • SImply diffuse out of the synaptic cleft
36
Q

Ca2+ Voltage Gated Channels

A

Ca2+ Channels open when an action potential reaches the nerve terminal causing exocytosis of the neurotransmitter - once released it diffuses across the cleft and binds to the receptors on the postsynaptic membrane allowing message to be passed from one neuron to the next

37
Q

Afferent Neurons

A

Afferent Signals Ascend:

Transmit sensory info from receptors to spinal cord / brain

38
Q

Efferent Neurons

A

Efferent Signals Exit:

Transmit motor info from brain / spinal cord to muscle / glands

39
Q

Interneurons

A

Found between other neurons and linked to reflexive behavior

40
Q

White Matter

A
  • Deep within Brain

- Axons encased in myelin sheaths on outside of Spinal Cord

41
Q

Grey Matter

A
  • Surface of Brain

- Unmyelinated cell bodies and dendrites deep within the Spinal Cord

42
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Consists of Brain and Spinal Cord

43
Q

Parts of Spinal Cord

A
  1. Cervical
  2. Thoracic
  3. Lumbar
  4. Sacral
44
Q

Peripheral Nervous System

A

Nerve tissues and fibers outside the brain that connects the Central Nervous System to the rest of the body

45
Q

Somatic System

A

Part of Peripheral Nervous System:

Sensory (afferent fibers) and motor (efferent fibers)

46
Q

Autonomic System

A 
Part of Peripheral Nervous System:
Involuntary muscles (automatic) and body temp
47
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

“Fight or Flight”

  • Increase heart rate
  • Relax bronchi
  • Decrease digestion
  • Dilate eyes (max. light)
  • Epinephrine released into blood
  • [Glucose] in blood increased
  • Redistribute blood to muscles
48
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

“Rest and Digest”

  • Slow heart rate
  • Constrict bronchi
  • Stimulate digestion and bile release
  • Constrict pupils
  • Contracts bladder
  • Stimulates flow of saliva
49
Q

Reflex Arcs

A

Neural circuits control reflexive behavior.
Interneurons in spinal cord can send signals to the muscles; info. is still sent to the brain but by the time it receives it the body has already responded

50
Q

Monosynaptic Reflex

A

Single synapse between sensory neuron that receives stimulation and motor neuron that respond

Ex; Knee-Jerk Reflex

51
Q

Polysynaptic Reflex

A

At least one interneuron between the sensory and motor neuron
`
Ex: Withdrawal Reflex

Biology for the MCAT :) (10 decks)

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