Neural Firing Flashcards
Neural Transmission
Process by which information is being travels through a neuron
Electrochemically
Neurons send messages electrochemically, this means that chemicals cause an electrical signal
Electrical part happens inside the neuron itself
dendrites reciece a chemical called a neurotransmitter
chemicals go to a receptor site
the receptor site will trigger the axon to let in positively charged sodium ions
selectively permeable membrane the cell membrane of the neuron allows certain ions to pass through while preventing or restricting other ions from moving
The reaction betwee
Threshold
level of stimulation that a cell body (soma) uses to decide whether to tell the axon to create electricity
Resting State
There is a difference between the charges outside the cell and inside of the cell (neuron is charged and ready to fire/polarized)
Action potential
An action potential is part of the process that occurs during the firing of a neuron
all-or-nothing principles
when a neuron fires it is at full strength or not at all, strength of action potential is constant
refractory period
period of time during which a cell is incapable of repeating an action potential(recovery time)
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and balances signals between neurons, or nerve cells and other cells in the body
Excitatory neurotransmitters
They excite connecting neurons and cause them to fire, more action potentials are triggered
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
Inhibit (Prevent) the next neurons from firing
Acetylcholine “movement & Memory”
Principle neurotransmitter involved in thought, learning, and memory. In the body, it is involved in an activating muscle action
Serotonin
Connected to feelings of well-being and happiness (regulation of emotion). It regulates the sleep cycle along with melatonin and also regulates intestinal movements.
Dopamine
“Pleasure chemical of the brain” released into the pleasure centers of the brain, related to reward and motivation (learning)
Norepinephrine “fight or flight”
Associated with response to danger, attention & responding actions in the brain
Gaba
Inhibitory transmitter tjhat slows things down, calming the central nervous system “natural tranquilizer”, gaba also contributes to motor and vision control
Glutamate
Major exciatory neurotransmitter, involved with most normal operations of the brain including thinking, long-term memory
