Nervous System, Neurons, and Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system (CNS)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this nervous system transmits signals between the CNS and the rest of the body
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this nervous system is responsible for voluntary actions and transmits information to the CNS and skeletal muscles
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this nervous system acts largely unconsciously, is responsible for involuntary actions, and transmits information from the body’s smooth muscles and organs to & from the CNS
autonomic
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is divided into these 2 nervous systems
sympathetic & parasympathetic
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
during the body’s fight-flight response, this nervous system causes the following:
- pupil dilation
- sweating
- increased heart & respiration rates
- inhibits digestion & sexual activity
sympathetic
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
During a stress response, this nervous system is responsible for the following:
* rest & relaxation
* returning the body to it’s pre-emergency state
parasympathetic
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
Regarding male sexual response, the parasympathetic nervous system is necessary for (erection/ejaculation) and the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for (erection/ejaculation)
erection; ejaculation
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this nervous system contains two types of cells: neurons & glia
central
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this type of cell is responsible for communicating information within the nervous system
neurons
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this type of cell serves several functions, including providing neurons with:
* structural support
* insulation
* nutrients
glia
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
a term referring to an electrochemical process that begins when a neuron’s dendrites receive sufficient stimulation from other neurons
conduction
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the state of a neuron when the fluid inside the cell is negatively charged relative to the fluid outside the cell
resting (state)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
describe the process that occurs when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated
- channels in the cell membrane open
- allowing positively charged sodium ions to enter the cell
- the neuron becomes depolarized (less negative)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the process when a neuron reaches the minimum threshold of stimulation
action potential (when complete depolarization triggers an electrical impulse)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
term used to describe a chemical transmission that begins when an action potential reaches the axon terminal
synaptic transmission
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
synaptic transmission causes the release of a this into the synapse
a neurotransmitter
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
term(s) for the effect on a neuron increasing and decreasing the likelihood that an action potential will occur
excitatory & inhibitory
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
describe how neurotransmitters are inactivated
- being absorbed by the presynaptic neuron
- being broken down by an enzyme
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the following are 4 types of this nervous system function
1) homologous area adaptation
2) cross-modal reassignment
3) map expansion
4) compensatory masquerade
neuroplasticity
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
during this process a particular area of the brain responds to early damage by shifting the functions of the damaged area to the corresponding area in the opposite hemisphere
homologous area adaption plasticity
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
name a drawback of homologous area adaptation plasticity
pre-existing functions of the corresponding area may be negative affected
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the process by which a brain area that is responsible for processing a particular type of sensory input is deprived of that input, as a result, the function of the neurons in that area changes (i.e., are reassigned)
ex: someone who is blind
cross-modal reassignment plasticity
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
term used to describe the temporary or permanent enlargement of a functioning cortical region as a result of practice or exercise
ex. when a musician who practices a specific instrument regularly, sees an enlargement of the brain area dedicated to controlling the fingers used to play that instrument
map expansion plasticity
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
map expansion plasticity involves this neuronal process
recruiting neurons from the borders of that region
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
during this process the brain figures out an alternative strategy for carrying out a task when the initial strategy cannot be followed due to damage or impairment to an area responsible for that task
ex. using landmarks to navigate when sense of direction is damaged
compensatory masquerade plasticity
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the neuronal area that small-molecule neurotransmitters are synthesized and stored in
axon terminal
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
these hormones are synthesized in the cell body and transmitted to the axon terminal
neuropeptides
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
name 2 neuropeptides that are endogenous opioids with analgesic and euphoric effects
enkephalin and endorphin
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter is both excitatory and inhibitory and contributes to movement, motivation, and reward
dopamine
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
dopamine is released in this area of the brain
mesolimbic pathway
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
Parkinson’s disease has been linked to low levels of dopamine in this area of the brain
substantia nigra
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
ADHD has been linked to low levels of dopamine in this area of the brain
prefrontal cortex
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
Tourette’s disorder has been linked to high levels of dopamine in these areas of the brain
caudate nucleus & basal ganglia
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
According to this concept, an excess of dopamine in subcortical areas is linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia
dopamine hypothesis
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
According to this concept, a deficiency of dopamine in cortical regions of the brain is linked to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
dopamine hypothesis
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter is both excitatory and inhibitory and is involved in movement, muscle contraction, memory, and learning
acetylcholine (ACh)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this autoimmune, neuromuscular disease causes weakness in voluntary muscles by blocking and/or destroying acetylcholine (ACh; responsible for muscle contractions) receptors at neuromuscular junctions
Myasthenia gravis
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
Alzheimer’s has been linked to early memory loss due to low levels of ACh in these 2 areas of the brain
entorhinal cortex &
hippocampus
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter is an excitatory neurotransmitter and contributes to learning and memory, cognition, mood regulation.
glutamate
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
term used to describe excessive glutamate that causes cell damage and death
glutamate excitotoxicity
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
these disorders are linked to excitotoxicity
physical health
- stroke & seizures
- Huntington’s , Parkinson’s, & Alzheimer’s
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter is an excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in arousal, alertness, and fight- or flight-response / stress
norepinephrine
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
According to the catecholamine hypothesis, some forms of depression are caused by a deficiency of this neurotransmitter, while mania is due to excessive levels
norepinephrine
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter (aka 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) has an inhibitory effect and plays a role in many functions including mood, sleep, appetite, sexual activity, and pain
serotonin
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
low levels of this neurotransmitter has been linked to depression, increased risk for suicide, bulimia nervosa, OCD, and migraine headaches
serotonin
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
higher brain levels of serotonin have been linked increased anxiety and obsessive thinking characteristic of this mental health disorder
anorexia nervosa
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
higher-than-normal blood levels of this neurotransmitter have been found in individuals with enlarged cerebral ventricles and/or cerebral atrophy, autism, and chronic schizophrenia
serotonin
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and is involved in motor control, relaxation, arousal, memory, and sleep
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
higher levels of this neurotransmitter can cause memory impairment and daytime drowsiness
GABA
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
lower levels of this neurotransmitter can cause anxiety and insomnia
GABA
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
abnormal levels of GABA have been associated with these mental health disorders?
- MDD
- bipolar
- panic disorder
- GAD
- PTSD
- schizophrenia
- autism
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
term used to describe medication that mimics or increases the effects of a neurotransmitter
agonists
this type of agonists attaches to receptor sites and acts like neurotransmitters
direct
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this type of agonist increases the availability of a neurotransmitter but does not attach to receptor sites
indirect
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this type of agonist produces effects that are similar to (but weaker than) the effects of a neurotransmitter
partial agonists
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this type of agonist produces effects that are the opposite of the effects of a neurotransmitter
inverse
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
term used to describe medication that does not produce any effects on its own but blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter
Antagonists
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
a type of antagonist that binds to and blocks receptors, thereby preventing a neurotransmitter from attaching to the receptors
direct antagonist
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
type of antagonist that prevents the production or release of a neurotransmitter by presynaptic cells
indirect
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
Memory loss during the initial stage of Alzheimer’s disease has been most consistently linked to low levels of this neurotransmitter in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus
acetylcholine (ACh)
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
the primary function of this protective cover is to increase the speed of nerve impulses
myelin sheath
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
this neurotransmitter is inhibitory neurotransmitter and low levels have been linked to chronic insomnia and anxiety disorders
GABA
Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
Stimulus intensity is encoded by the frequency of this process
action potentials
The primary function of the myelin sheath is to:
a) increase the speed of nerve impulses
b) increase the size of the action potential
c) failitate synaptic transmission
d) facilitate neurogenesis
a) increase the speed of nerve impulses
The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that insulates and increases the speed of nerve impulses in the axons of neurons.
a drug that increases which of the following is likelyt to be most effective in treating OCD:
a) serotonin
b) acetylcholine
c) norephinephrine
d) GABA
a) serotonin
Knowing that SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) would have helped you identify the correct answer to this question. Note that, while OCD has been most consistently linked to low levels of serotonin, there’s also research linking it to abnormal levels of dopamine and glutamate.
Stimulus intensity is encoded by:
a) the intensity of action potentials
b) the frequency of action potentials
c) the intensity & frequency of action potentials
d) neither the intensity & frequency of action potentials
b) the frequency of action potentials
Action potentials are all-or-none responses which means they either occur or don’t occur and, when they occur, they have the same intensity. Consequently, stimulus intensity is not determined by the intensity of an action potential but by the frequency of the action potentials generated by a neuron and/or by the number of neurons that generate action potentials.
A drug that has the same effects as a neurotransmitter or that increases the effects of a neurotransmitter is referred to as a(n):
a) antagonist
b) inverse agonist
c) partial agonist
d) agonist
d) agonist
this is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and low levels have been linked to chronic insomnia and anxiety disorders.
a) dopamine
b) acetylcholine
c) GABA
d) glutamate
c) GABA
ow levels of GABA have been linked to insomnia, seizures, and anxiety, and benzodiazepines reduce anxiety and induce sleep by amplifying its effects.
