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Developmental and Biological Psychology > Nervous System > Flashcards

Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurons

A

Nerve cells specialised for communication with each other. They have long extensions that help them respond to stimulation from other neurons and communicate with them (dendrites)

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2
Q

Neuronal/cell membrane

A

Separates the inside from the outside of the cell, encases the entire neuron
Made up of two layers of fat molecules called the lipid bilayer with embedded proteins to help it perform its functions

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3
Q

Cell body (soma)

A

Central region of the neuron that manufactures new cell components, consisting of small and large molecules.
It is the main site where proteins are synthesised and it provides continuous renewal of cell components.
It is where the cells metabolic processes take place

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4
Q

Dendrites

A

Extensions for receiving information from other neurons. These receiving parts gradually taper from the cell body region, much as a branch on a tree narrows as it extends outwards

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5
Q

Axon (nerve fibre)

A

Portion of the neuron that send signals/nerve impulses. These long tail-like extensions are usually very thin near the cell body. This narrowness creates an area that is easily activated by incoming signals

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6
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

Membranes that store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse

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7
Q

Axon terminal

A

Knoblike structure at the far end of the axon.

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8
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers specialised for communication and released at the synapse

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9
Q

Synapse

A

Space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted

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10
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

Space between two connecting neurons where neurotransmitters are released

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11
Q

Glial cells (definition)

A

Support cells in the nervous system that play a role in the formation of myelin and the blood–brain barrier, respond to injury and remove debris.
The most abundant of glial cells are astrocytes.

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12
Q

Node (of Ranvier)

A

Gap in the myelin sheath of an axon, which helps the conduction of nerve impulses.

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13
Q

Astrocytes

A

A type of glial cell in the CNS. The most abundant. A single astrocyte interacts with as many as 300 000–1 000 000 neurons.
Astrocytes communicate closely with neurons, increase the reliability of their transmission, control blood flow in the brain, and play a vital role in the development of the embryo.
We can find astrocytes in abundant supply in the blood–brain barrier, a protective shield that insulates the brain from infection by bacteria and other intruders.

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14
Q

Oligodendrocyte

A

Glial cell in the CNS concerned with production of myelin that promotes new connections among nerve cells and releases chemicals to aid in healing

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15
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Glial cell-wrappers around axons that act as insulators of the neuron’s signal. This sheath contains numerous gaps all the way along the axon called nodes, which help the neuron conduct electricity more efficiently

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16
Q

Resting potential

A

Electrical charge difference (–60 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited

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17
Q

Action potential

A

When a neuron is at rest, there are positive and negative ions on both sides of the membrane. During an action potential, positive ions rush in and then out of the axon. This process occurs along the axon until the axon terminal releases a neurotransmitter
Qualities of action potential:
1. All or nothing. Similar to the firing of a gun; when we pull the gun’s trigger, it either fires with maximum power or it does not fire at all.
2. Regenerative, meaning that, once started, the process is self-perpetuating; the action potential continues all the way down to the axon terminal.
3. The mechanism of action potentials differs from that of graded potentials. During an action potential, a positive charge flows rapidly into the axon and then rapidly flows out, bringing the membrane potential slightly below its original resting value

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18
Q

Threshold

A

Membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential

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19
Q

Absolute refractory period

A

Time during which another action potential is impossible; limits maximal firing rate

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20
Q

Receptor sites

A

Locations that uniquely recognise a neurotransmitter

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21
Q

Reuptake

A

Means of recycling neurotransmitters

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22
Q

Graded potential

A

Postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory or inhibitory, depending on whether positively or negatively charged particles flow across the neuronal membrane and in which direction they flow

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23
Q

Function of nervous system

A

Information processing (taking in information, processing it to determine significance and acting on it)

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24
Q

Explain what happens during a reflex action (e.g. touching a hot surface)

A
  1. Sensory receptors in the fingers respond
  2. Afferent (sensory) nerve fibres carry the message to the spinal cord
  3. Synapse passes message to interneuron in the spinal cord, which relay the message to efferent nerve fibres
  4. Efferent (motor) nerve fibres send a message to the muscles located in the hand
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25
Q

Afferent neurons

A

Sensory neurons that carry nerve impulses from sensory stimuli towards the central nervous system and brain

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26
Q

Efferent neurons

A

Motor neurons that carry neural impulses away from the central nervous system and towards muscles to cause movement

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27
Q

3 steps in neurotransmission

A
  1. Release of the neurotransmitter from the axon terminal into the synaptic cleft
  2. Binding of the neurotransmitter to its receptor site
  3. Halting neurotransmission by either the chemical breakdown of the neurotransmitter or by reuptake of the neurotransmitter back into the axon terminal—a process by which the synaptic vesicle engulfs the neurotransmitter
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28
Q

Glutamate (function)

A

Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system; participates in the relay of sensory information and learning

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29
Q

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (function)

A

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Alcohol and anxiety drugs increase GABA activity.

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30
Q

Acetylcholine (function)

A 
Muscle contraction (PNS)
Cortical arousal (CNS)
31
Q

Noradrenaline (function)

A

Cortical arousal

32
Q

Dopamine (function)

A

Motor function and reward

33
Q

Serotonin (function)

A

Corticol arousal

34
Q

Endorphins (function)

A

Neuropeptide associated with pain reduction

35
Q

Anandamide (function)

A

Pain reduction, increase in appetite (Associated with THC)

36
Q

The network of neurons in the brain changes over the course of development in four primary ways

A
  1. Growth of dentrites and axons
  2. Formation of new synapses (syptanogenesis)
  3. Death of certain neurons and retraction of axons that make connections that are not useful (pruning)
  4. Insulation of axons with a myelin sheath (myelination)
37
Q

Potentiation

A

The increase in strength of nerve impulses along pathways which have been used previously, either short-term or long-term

38
Q

Neurogenesis

A

Creation of new neurons in the adult brain

39
Q

Two ways that stems cells could be used to of treat neuro- degenerative disease

A
  1. Researchers can implant stem cells directly into the host’s nervous system and induce them to grow and replace damaged cells.
  2. Researchers can genetically engineer stem cells so that the cells can administer gene therapy; that is, provide the patient with replacement genes
40
Q

Central nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord that controls mind and behaviour

41
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Nerves in the body that extend outside the brain and spinal cord

42
Q

6 sections/systems of the CNS

A
  1. Cortex (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes)
  2. Basal ganglia
  3. Limbic system (Thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus)
  4. Cerebellum
  5. Brain stem (midbrain, pons, medulla)
  6. Spinal cord
43
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system carrying messages from the CNS through the body to control movement

44
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Part of the peripheral nervous system controlling the involuntary actions of our internal organs and glands, which (along with the limbic system) participates in emotion

45
Q

Sympathetic division

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system engaged during a crisis, or after actions requiring fight or flight
- Synapse onto second stage neurons at a significant distance from target organs

46
Q

Parasympathetic division

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that controls rest and digestion
- Synapse onto second-stage neurons near the target organ

47
Q
  • Cranial nerves (definition)
  • How many pairs?
  • Longest pair?
A
  • Part of the peripheral nervous system that project from the brain. They are mostly sensory nerves.
  • 12 pairs of cranial nerves
  • Vagus nerve
48
Q

Vagus nerve

A

Cranial nerve that transmits motor and sensory information traveling to and from the gut

49
Q

What are Meninges?

Name them

A

Set of three protective membranes

  • Dura Mater meninx (tough, fibrous layer)
  • Arachnoid meninx (more delicate, spider-like structure)
  • Pia Mater meninx (delicate fibrous layer that adheres to surface of CNS)
50
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid (function)
Produced by?
Found in?

A
  • Protects the CNS by cushioning the brain
  • Choroid plexus
  • Central canal, four cerebral ventricles & subarachnoid space
51
Q

Choroid Plexus (defintion/function)

A

Network of capillaries that project from the pia mater into the ventricles of the brain. Produces cerebrospinal fluid

52
Q 
Cerebral ventricles (definition)
Name them
A

Set of 4 interconnected cavities within the brain
Lateral ventricles (2)
Third ventricle
Fourth ventricle

53
Q

Hydrocephalus

A

Buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles. May result from obstruction in the cerebral aqueduct

54
Q

Blood-brain barrier

A

Cell walls of the cerebral blood vessel are wedged closely together, forming a “blood-brain barrier” to keep unwanted molecules, pathogens and toxins in the blood. Certain large molecules like glucose are allowed to pass through.
(cell walls of regular blood vessels are more loosely packed)

55
Q

Nucleus

A

Contains genetic information (DNA). Spherical structure that acts like the brain of the cell

56
Q

Axon Hillcock

A

Cone-shaped region connecting the cell body and axon

57
Q 
Lipid Bilayer (definition)
Embedded protein functions?
A
  • 2 layers of fat molecules found in the cell/neuronal membrane
  • Channel proteins provide a passage for certain molecules to pass through the membrane & signal proteins send a signal to the inside of a neuron when a certain molecule binds to the outside
58
Q

Ribosomes

A

Small structures located on the end of endoplasmic reticulum that are involved in synthesising proteins

59
Q

Endoplasmic reticulum

A

Structure made from folded membranes.
Sections with ribosomes attached (rough sections) are involved in synthesising proteins.
Sections without ribosomes attached (smooth sections) are involved in synthesising fats.

60
Q

Cytoplasm

A

Thick, clear fluid inside the cell

61
Q

Microtubules

A

Tubular structure involved in transporting cellular materials throughout the neuron

62
Q

Golgi complex

A

Made up of membranes in the shape of flattened, stacked pouches, the golgi complex packages molecules to be used later or to be sent out of the cell.

63
Q

Mitochondria

A

Generates large quantities of energy through an aerobic process

64
Q

4 classifications of neurons

A
  • Multipolar interneuron (short or absent axon & single brain area. Role in integrating neuronal activity)
  • Bipolar neuron (2 projections from the cell body)
  • Unipolar neuron (1 projection from the cell body)
  • Multipolar neuron (more than 2 projections rom the cell body)
65
Q

Clusters of cells & axons in the CNS are called?

Clusters of cells & axons in the PHN are called?

A
  • Nuclei & Tracts

- Ganglia & Nerves

66
Q

Microglia

A

Type of glial cell in the CNS. The smallest glial cells, they protect against injury and disease by engulfing cells and cellular debris, multiplying and promoting an inflammatory response

67
Q

Schwann cells

A

Type of glial cell in the PNS. Similar function to oligodendrocytes in myelinating axons to increase speed and efficiency of signals.

68
Q

What are Gray matter and White matter composed of?

A
  • Gray matter is composed largely of cell bodies and unmyelinated interneurons
  • White matter is composed largely of myelinated axons. (It is the myelin that gives the white matter its glossy white sheen.)
69
Q

Dorsal and ventral horns

A

Located in the spinal cord, the two dorsal arms of the spinal gray matter are called the dorsal horns, and the two ventral arms are called the ventral horns

70
Q

Spinal nerves
How many?
Where do they connect to spine?

A

Pairs of spinal nerves are attached to the spinal cord— one on the left and one on the right—at 31 different levels of the spine. Each of these 62 spinal nerves divides as it nears the cord, and its axons are joined to the cord via one of two roots: the dorsal root or the ventral root.

71
Q

Dorsal root neurons

A

All dorsal root axons, whether somatic or autonomic, are sensory (afferent) unipolar neurons with their cell bodies grouped together just outside the cord to form the dorsal root ganglia. Many of their synaptic terminals are in the dorsal horns of the spinal gray matter

72
Q

Ventral root neurons

A

The neurons of the ventral root are motor (efferent) multipolar neurons with their cell bodies in the ventral horns. Those that are part of the somatic nervous system project to skeletal muscles; those that are part of the autonomic nervous system project to ganglia, where they synapse on neurons that in turn project to internal organs (heart, stomach, liver, etc.).

73
Q

Reticular formation

A

Complex network of about 100 tiny nuclei that occupies the central core of the brain stem from the posterior boundary of the myelencephalon to the anterior boundary of the midbrain.

Developmental and Biological Psychology (6 decks)

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