Neuron Communication

Question 1

Sensing pain

Answer 1

• pain is perceived by messages sent to the brain from injured areas
• anaesthetics block messages sent to the brain and from brain to muscle

Question 2

Action potential

Answer 2

Brief electrical pulse that propagates along cells

-all our senses and thoughts and memories require action potentials

Question 3

Nociceptors

Answer 3

• special neurons that detect painful stimuli in skin and body
• respond to stimuli in specific location

Question 4

Receptive field

Answer 4

-area or region a sensory neuron can detect stimuli

Question 5

Membrane potential

Answer 5

• Vm
• voltage difference between inside and outside of cell
• net charge inside vs outside
• how much energy is required to move a single positive charge across membrane into neuron

Question 6

Motor neurons

Answer 6

• form synapses with muscles to tell them when to contract

- each release of a neurotransmitter by a motor neuron causes a twitch in muscle fibre

Question 7

Botulinum toxin

Answer 7

• deadliest neurotoxin known
• paralyses entire system
• prevents release of NT from neuron

Question 8

Lidocaine

Answer 8

• local anaesthetic that blocks pain sensation near injection site
• prevent nociceptor from releasing NT (so signal doesnt reach brain)