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Psychology > Neuron Structure > Flashcards

Neuron Structure Flashcards

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1
Q

Action potential

A

A process where an excitation that travels along an axon is at a constant strength, no matter how far it travels
It is an impulse that flows down an axon by movement of chemical ions
Mechanism: an action potential depends on the entry of sodium into the axon. Anything that blocks this flow stops the action potential

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2
Q

All-or-none law

A

The fact that an axon cannot vary the strength or velocity of its action potentials

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3
Q

Axon

A

A single, long, thin, straight fibre with branches near its tip

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4
Q

Cell body

A

contains the nucleus of the cell

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5
Q

dendrite

A

They are widely branching structures that receive input from other neurons

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6
Q

Dopamine

A

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a crucial role in various functions, including motivation, reward, movement, and the regulation of mood. It’s often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter because it is associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, particularly in response to rewarding activities.

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7
Q

Gila

A

It support the neurons in many ways such as by insulating them, synchronising activity among neighbouring neurons, and removing waste products

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8
Q

Myelin

A

An insulating sheath that speeds up the transmission of impulses along an axon

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9
Q

Neuron

A

It is an enormous number of separate cells in our brain

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10
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

A chemical that activates receptors on other neurons
Each neurotransmitter can attach to several types of receptors with different properties
The duration of its effects varies from one synapse to another

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11
Q

Parkinson’s Disease

A

A condition that affects 1-2% of people over the age of 65 in western nations
Main symptoms: difficulty in initiating voluntary movement, slow movement, tremors, rigidity, and depressed moods

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12
Q

Postsynaptic Neuron

A

The neuron on the receiving end of the synapse

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13
Q

Resting potential

A

An electrical polarisation across the membrane (or covering) of an axon

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14
Q

Synapse

A

The specialised junction between one neuron and another, a neuron releases a chemical that either excites or inhibits the next neuron

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15
Q

Terminal Bouton

A

It is a little bulge, which ends at the branches of a typical axon

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16
Q

Neuron structure

A

a neuron, or nerve cell, consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The axon conveys information to other neurons

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17
Q

How do neuron communicate?

A

a neuron communicates with another neuron by releasing a chemical called a neurotransmitter at a specialised junction called a synapse. A neurotransmitter can either excite or inhibit the next neuron, with varying durations of effect

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18
Q

what about neurotransmitters and causes behavioural disorders

A

an excess or deficit of a particular neurotransmitter can lead to abnormal behaviour, such as that exhibited by people with Parkinson’s disease

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19
Q

Amygdala

A

it responds strongly to emotional situations

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20
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

it controls the heart, digestive system, and other organs

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21
Q

binding problem

A

The question of how separate brain areas combine forces to produce a unified perception of a single object

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22
Q

blindsight

A

It is the ability to point to or otherwise indicate the direction to a visual stimulus, without any conscious perception of seeing anything at all

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23
Q

central nervous system

A

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord, and communicates with the rest of the body through the peripheral nervous system

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24
Q

cerebellum

A

it is part of the hindbrain

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25
Q

cerebral cortex

A

it is the outer covering of the forebrain

26
Q

corpus callosum

A

It is a set of axons that connect the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex

27
Q

Electroencephalograph

A

It uses electrodes on the scalp to record rapid changes in the brain electrical activity

28
Q

Endocrine system

A

Glands that produce hormones and release them into the blood

29
Q

Epilepsy

A

A condition in which cells somewhere in the brain emit abnormal rhythmic, spontaneous impulses

30
Q

frontal lobe

A

It is at the forward part of the brain, and includes the primary motor cortex

31
Q

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

A

uses magnetic detectors outside the head to compare the amounts of haemoglobin with and without oxygen in different brain areas

32
Q

hemisphere

A

the left and right halves of the forebrain

33
Q

hormone

A

Chemicals released by glands and conveyed by the blood to alter activity in various organs

34
Q

hypothalamus

A

Located just below the thalamus and it is important for hunger, thirst, temperature regulation, sex, and other motivated behaviours

35
Q

interpreter

A

The left hemisphere has this function which makes up a story to explain what it sees happening, even if the behaviours actually happens for a different reason

36
Q

Magnetoencephalography

A

it records magnetic changes

37
Q

medulla

A

It is at the bottom-most part of your brain. Its location means it’s where your brain and spinal cord connect, making it a key conduit for nerve signals to and from your body. It also helps control vital processes like your heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure

38
Q

mirror neurons

A

Found in several parts of the brain, especially the frontal cortex and they are active. imitation

39
Q

monism

A

The idea that mental activity and brain activity are inseparable

40
Q

occipital lobe

A

it is at the rear of the head and is specialised for vision

41
Q

oxytocin

A

love hormone

42
Q

parietal lobe

A

It is forward from the occipital lobe, and is specialised for the body senses, including touch, pain, temperature, and awareness of the location of body parts in space

43
Q

plasticity

A

change as a result of experience

44
Q

pons

A

It is a part of your brainstem, a structure that links your brain to your spinal cord. It handles unconscious processes and jobs, such as your sleep-wake cycle and breathing

45
Q

positron-emission tomography

A

it records radioactivity of various brain areas emitted from injected chemicals

46
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

It is at the anterior sections of the frontal lobe, and is important for memory of what has just happened and what you are planning to do next

47
Q

primary motor cortex

A

it is important for controlling fine movements

48
Q

primary somatosensory

A

It is a strip in the anterior portion of the parietal lobe, and has cells sensitive to touch in various body areas
Its largest areas are devoted to touch at the most sensitive areas

49
Q

reflex

A

it is a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus

50
Q

social neuroscience

A

it is the study of the biological bases of social behaviour

51
Q

spinal cord

A

it controls the muscles from the neck down and is responsible for reflexes

52
Q

stem cells

A

undifferentiated cells

53
Q

temporal lobe

A

It is located towards the left and right sides of the head, and it the main area for hearing and certain aspects of vision

54
Q

What is the action potential process like?

A
  1. When an action potential reaches the terminal button, it releases a neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft
  2. The neurotransmitter molecules in the synaptic cleft will then bind with receptor sites on the membrane of the neighbouring neuron
  3. Various neurons use dozens of chemicals as neurotransmitters, but a given neuron releases inly one or few of them
  4. The neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across a narrow gap to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
  5. A neurotransmitter fits into its receptor, and it either excites or inhibits the postsynaptic neuron
  6. After a neurotransmitter excites or inhibits a receptor, it separates from the receptor, ending the message
55
Q

What are the lobes in the brain?

A

occipital, temporal, frontal, parietal lobe

56
Q

What are the subcortical structures under the cerebral cortex?

A

thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala

57
Q

What are used to measure brain activity?

A

electroencephalograph, magnetoencephalograph, positron-emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging

58
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

it prepares the organs for brief periods of vigour activities that expand energy

59
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

it works to conserve energy and works when the body is at rest, or when the fight or flight situation is over

60
Q

How does the cerebral cortex communicate with the rest of the body?

A

information from the cerebral cortex passes to the medulla and then into the spinal cord. The medulla and spinal cord receive sensory input from the periphery and send output to the muscles and glands.

61
Q

what are split-brain patients like?

A

After damage to the corpus callosum, people can describe information only if it enters the left hemi-sphere. Such people in some ways act as if they have separate fields of consciousness, and in some ways they act as if they are unified.

Psychology (11 decks)

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