Neural Integration/Neural Processing. Flashcards
What is sensory reception often compared to?
A relay race :)
What is the simplest form of information processing?
Whether or not an action potential is generated or not.
A change in ________ ________ that determines whether or not action potentials are generated.
Transmembrane Potential.
Charge (voltage) difference between the _____ and ______ of a cell is due to separation in voltage.
Inside, Outside.
If there is a large enough difference in _____ between the inside and outside of the cell this can generate an ______ _______.
Difference, Action potential.
An action potential is then _____ if the threshold is reached.
Propagated.
Name the neuron/cell that “sends” the action potential.
Pre-synaptic cell.
The ______ is how neurons can communicate with one another.
Synapse.
The Post-synaptic cell is the _______ cell.
Receiving.
How are Excitatory and Inhibitory stimuli integrated?
Through Interaction between Post-synaptic potentials.
______ potentials are very rapid and considered as ___________.
Post-synaptic, instantaneous.
The interaction between post-synaptic potentials is the simplest level of ________ _______ in the nervous system.
Information Processing.
What are postsynaptic potentials?
Graded potentials that develop in the postsynaptic membrane in response to a neurotransmitter.
Name the two types of postsynaptic potentials.
- Excitatory Postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
- Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)
Describe an Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP).
The graded depolarization of a postsynaptic membrane.
The Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP) is the graded ________ of the postsynaptic membrane.
Hyperpolarization.
Depolarisation is when the cell becomes ____ negative.
Less.
Hyperpolarization is when the cell becomes ____ negative.
More.
The axons of many pre-synaptic neurons feed into the _______ of one _______ neuron via _______.
Dendrites, Post-synaptic, synapses.
Where does the “decision” whether or not to propagate the action potential along the axon take place?
It takes place in a region of the cell body called the axon hillock.
The decision in the axon _____ is achieved through the ____ of incoming ________.
Hillock, summation, impulses.
If the total impulse reaches threshold, what happens?
The post-synaptic neuron depolarizes and the action potential is propagated.
If the sum doesn’t reach the _____, the action potential wont be propagated.
Threshold.
What are the two main methods of summation?
Temporal and Spatial.
What is the other term used for summation?
Integration.
The 2 basic integration mechanisms are ____ summation and ______ summation.
Spatial, Temporal.
Define Spatial Summation.
Integration of simultaneous synaptic currents by a neuron. (adding together at same time).
Define Temporal Summation.
Summation of synaptic potentials over time. (adding together, but building up over time).
What is the characteristic of Temporal Summation?
Rapid, repeated (stimulus arrives multiple times) stimuli at one synapse until threshold reached.
Spatial summation occurs when sources of stimulation arrive _____ but at different ______.
Simultaneously, locations.
What is the characteristic of Spatial Summation?
Many stimuli, arrive at multiple synapses at the same time.
In spatial summation, local ______ spread the ______ effects and areas of _____ experience the ______ effect.
Currents, depolarizing, overlap, combined.
What are neurons currently under the influence of?
Background Synaptic Activity.
Background activity changes therefore can influence what?
It can influence Neuronal excitability.
What does increased excitatory drive result in?
Greater Excitability (Facilitation).
What does increased inhibitory drive result in?
Decreased Excitability (inhibition).
What do neurotransmitter chemicals cause?
Post-Synaptic Potentials.
Postsynaptic potentials can either be _____ resulting in an EPSP or _________ resulting in an IPSP.`
Depolarizing, Hyperpolarizing.
When one neuron divides into splits/branches into several neurons in order to spread stimulation, what is this known as?
Divergence.
What is convergence?
When several neurons become one, providing input to a single neuron from multiple sources.
______ processing is a mechanism in which the neurons work sequentially.
Serial.
Parallel processing is a mechanism in which neurons process the same information ________.
Simultaneously.
What is the name of a positive feedback mechanism of neurons?
Reverberation.
Name this-
Synaptic Junction between an axon terminal of 1 neuron and either the initial axon segment or an axon terminal of another neuron/nerve cell.
Axoaxonic Synapse.
Define Presynaptic Inhibition.
The action of an Axoaxonic synapse at a synaptic terminal that decreases the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic membrane.
Name this-
The action of an Axoaxonic synapse at a synaptic terminal that increases the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic membrane.
Presynaptic facilitation.
What does Presynaptic Inhibition, inhibit?
It inhibits the opening of voltage-regulated calcium channels reducing the amount of neurotransmitter released.
The release of GABA can _____ _____ channels.
Inactivate Calcium.
In presynaptic facilitation, the ___ potential arrives which opens the ____ channels, then more of the _______ are released which has an increased effect on the ______ membrane.
Action, Calcium, Neurotransmitters. Postsynaptic.
Serotonin causes ___ neurotransmitters to be released.
More.
The neurotransmitters released at a _____ may have either ______ or ________ effects.
Synapse, excitatory, inhibitory.
The effect on the axon’s initial _____ reflects a _____ of the stimuli that arrive at any moment.
Segment, Summation.
What is the frequency of generation of action potentials an indication of?
The degree of sustained depolarization at the axon hillock.
_______ contribute to volume transmission.
Neuromodulators.
When neuromodulators are released they act ____ on many ____ changing their _________ properties.
Locally, Neurons, Input/Output.
How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain/personality?
By either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission.
What do Excitatory drugs do?
Increase Synaptic transmissions.
Excitatory drugs include many ______ drugs. eg. ______ and ________.
Stimulant, Nicotine, Cocaine.
What do Inhibitory drugs do?
They decrease synaptic transmission.
Inhibitory drugs include many ____ drugs. Name an example.
Depressant, Alcohol.
The release of what makes us feel good when we take drugs?
Dopamine.
Inhibitory drugs increase _____ of postsynaptic neurons whereas Excitatory drugs increase _______ of postsynaptic neurons.
Hyperpolarization, Depolarization.
