Neuron's Flashcards
What is a neuron?
Information messengers that make up the nervous system
What are all the components of a neuron?
Dendrites, cell body/soma, axon, axon terminals
What material covers the axon?
Myelin
What is the name of the signal that travels between neurons?
Neuro transmitters
What is synaptic transmission?
The event of a neurotransmitter moving between neurons
What specific part of a neuron transfers neurotransmitters?
Synapse
What is the microscopic space between synapse’s called?
The synaptic cleft
What is the name of the neuron that receives the neurotransmitter?
The postsynaptic neuron
What is the name of the neuron that transfers the neurotransmitter?
The presynaptic neuron
What are neurotransmitters transferred in?
Vesicles
What are three ways that unwanted vesicles can be worked on?
Diffusion
Reuptake
Enzymes
Define defusion
Diffusion is when a discarded vesicle drifts away from the neuron
Define reuptake
Reuptake is when a discarded vesicle floats back into the presynaptic neuron, and is recycled
Define what enzymes do to vesicles?
Enzymes break down discarded vesicles so they can be recycled back into the pre synaptic neuron
What are two things the neurotransmitter acetylcholine control?
Motor movement
Memory
What does the neurotransmitter serotonin control?
Mood control and stabelisation
What are two things the neurotransmitter dopamine control?
Mood control and alertness
What does the neurotransmitter endorphins control?
Pain control
What does the neurotransmitter gaba control?
Alertness
Sleep
What are two things the neurotransmitter norepinephrine control?
Alertness
Arousal
What do agonists do?
Mimic and stimulate neurotransmitters to enhance their affect
What do antagonists do?
Block neurotransmitters to stop their effect
What to reuptake inhibitors do?
Prevent the reuptake process from occurring so that the neurotransmitter remains in the synaptic cleft longer, enabling the body to feel its effects for extended periods of time
What happens to the bodies regular pattern of releasing neurotransmitters when drugs are brought into the equation?
The body releases that the neurotransmitters levels are higher than normal, therefor those neurotransmitters get released in smaller quantities
What does higher or lower levels of certain neurotransmitters usually lead to?
Mental health problems
