Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

biology module 5 > neuronal communication > Flashcards

neuronal communication Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

outline the ways in which the structure of a motor and sensory neurone are similar

A 
both have
1 dendrite(s) ;
2 an axon ;
3 a cell body with a , nucleus / named organelle ;
4 myelin sheath / myelinated /
 (covered with) Schwann cell / nodes of Ranvier ;
5 voltage-gated channels /
 sodium-potassium (ion) pump ;
QWC
dendrite(s) axon(s)
cell body(ies) myelin (or derived term)
schwann
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why is the Pacinian corpuscle described as a transducer?

A

it converts energy (mechanical) into ,

another / different , form of energy (electrical)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Deformation of the plasma membrane of the tip of the neurone causes the membrane to become more permeable to Na+. Suggest why.

A

idea that deformation of membrane will allow more Na+
through because
1 (the increased pressure) causes
sodium (ion) channels to open ;
2 (temporary) gaps / holes / spaces , appear ,
between the phospholipids / in the bilayer ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The generation of an action potential follows the ‘All-or-Nothing’ law.Explain what this means.

A

if the , stimulus is not strong enough /
threshold (value) is not reached /
depolarisation (of membrane) is insufficient ,
then , it / an action potential , is not ,
generated / AW ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe how information about the strength and intensity of a stimulus is communicated to the brain.

A

1 idea that it is represented by the frequency of the
action potentials ;
2 high , frequency / rate (of generation) ,
of action potentials shows ,
a strong / an intense , stimulus ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Suggest an explanation for the fact that action potentials are not generated constantly whilst wearing clothes.

A 
action potentials not generated because
1 sodium (ion) channels (remain) open /
resting potential not re-established
;
2 idea of ions being in the wrong place for correct ion
movement (across membrane) ;
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Outline the roles of synapses in the nervous system.

A

1 allows , neurones to communicate / cell signalling ;
2 ensure transmission (between neurones)
in one direction (only) ;
3 allows , convergence / impulses from more than one
neurone to be passed to a single neurone ;
4 allows , divergence / impulses from a single neurone
to be passed to more than one neurone ;
5 idea that filters (out) , ‘background’ / low level , stimuli
or
ensures that only stimulation that is strong enough
will be passed on ;
6 prevents fatigue / prevents over-stimulation ;
7 allows many low level stimuli to be amplified ;
8 idea that presence of inhibitory and stimulatory
synapses allows impulses to follow specific path ;
9 permits , memory / learning / decision making ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Name one chemical that transfers a nerve impulse from one neurone to another.

A

acetylcholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Suggest the part of the neurone where the plasma membrane has TRPA1 receptors.

A

either
post-synaptic membrane ;
(TRPA1) prevents attachment of (named) neurotransmitter
to its receptor ;
or
pre-synaptic membrane / (pre)synaptic knob /
axon terminal / bouton / synaptic bulb ;
(TRPA1) prevents , release of (named) neurotransmitter /
influx of calcium ions ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Explain the difference in the speed of conduction of an action potential along the length of a myelinated neurone and a non-myelinated neurone.

A

in myelinated neurones
1 conduction faster in myelinated neurone ; ora
2 depolarisation / action potential , can only occur
where (voltage-gated / Na(+)) channels present ;
3 idea that myelinated neurones have long(er) sections
with no, (voltage-gated / Na(+)) channels present ;
4 ion , movement / transfer ,
can only take place at the gaps / nodes ; ora
5 longer local circuits / fewer local circuits ;
6 saltatory conduction /
action potential jumps from node to node ; ora

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

suggest, with reasons, the effects that botulinum toxin may have once it has entered a neurone.

A

1 vesicle cannot fuse with cell membrane
and acetylcholine not secreted ;
2 protease / enzyme / toxin / it ,
hydrolyses ,
VAMP / SNARE / protein / peptide bonds ;
3 (because of hydrolysis)
VAMP (protein) cannot bind to SNARE (complex) ;
4 microtubules broken down so vesicle cannot move
towards membrane ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

State one way in which the nervous system decreases the heart rate.

A

impulses along parasympathetic nerve /
impulses along vagus nerve /
nerve endings releasing acetycholine ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe and explain how the resting potential is established and how it is maintained in a sensory neurone.

A 
pumping / active
1 sodium-potassium pump ,
 uses ATP / uses energy / by active transport /
 (pumps) actively ;
2 pumps / actively moves , sodium ions / Na+ , out of ,
 cell / axon / neurone , and ,
 potassium ions / K+ , in ;
passive / diffusing
3
K+ , diffuse / move / flow / leak ,
(freely) back out (of cell) ;
4 membrane less permeable to Na+ /
 fewer Na+ channels open , so fewer Na+ ,
 diffuse / move / flow / leak , back in ; ora
5 voltage-gated (Na+) , channels closed ;
6 AVP ;
QWC
sodium-potassium pump, ion(s),
diffuse (or derived term), permeable,
voltage-gated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What term is used to refer to the value of −50 mV

A

threshold (potential / value / voltage) ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Comment on the relationship between the strength of a stimulus, and the resulting action potential,

A

1 idea that only stimuli , that reach / are greater than ,
threshold value / -50mV ,
produce an action potential ; ora
2 (when stimulated) action potential either occurs or
does not / all-or-nothing (law) ;
3 idea that the action potential is the same
(magnitude / size) ,
no matter how strong the stimulus /
even if strength of stimulus increases ;
4 idea that a strong stimulus produces
many action potentials (in rapid succession) ;

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Suggest why this lactate is converted into pyruvate by the hepatocytes (liver cells) rather than by the respiring cells in which it is produced.

A

1 hepatocytes can tolerate , lactate / low pH
(which would otherwise be toxic) ;
2 hepatocytes have / (other) cells do not have ,
enzymes to ,
metabolise lactate / catalyse this reaction ;
3 (conversion of lactate) requires oxygen and ,
muscle cells do not have enough oxygen /
O2 is not available during anaerobic respiration /
O2 is sufficient in hepatocytes ;

17
Q

Explain what might happen to a person if the liver did not break down insulin.

A

1 blood glucose (concentration) would fall ,
too low / below normal level ;
2 idea that
glucose would continue to be taken up by ,
cells / liver / muscle (results in low blood glucose)
or
idea that
glucose is continually converted into glycogen /
would store too much glucose as glycogen ;
3 (mitochondria eventually) cannot ,
release enough energy / generate enough ATP
(as less available glucose in blood) ;
4 coma / death ;
5 AVP ;

18
Q

State the name given to this process of communication.

A

cell signalling ;

19
Q

State the name given to the gap between the two neurones at this junction.

A

synaptic (cleft / space / gap) ;

20
Q

Outline how the first neurone communicates with the second neurone across the gap.

A

1 (named) neurotransmitter / acetylcholine , released from
pre-synaptic / first , cell / membrane ;
2 diffuses across , gap / cleft / synaptic cleft
or
reaches second , neurone / cell / membrane , by diffusion ;
3 attaches to , receptors / binding sites of sodium channels ,
on post-synaptic membrane / membrane of second cell ;
4 neurotransmitter / acetylcholine , broken down (in cleft) ;
QWC
neurotransmitter, acetylcholine,
pre-synaptic / presynaptic, diffuse / diffusion,
synaptic cleft, receptor,
post-synaptic / postsynaptic

21
Q

Outline the importance of the junctions between neurones in the functioning of the nervous system.

A

1 ensures movement of , impulse / action potential ,
in one direction (only) ;
2 integration
or
one neurone can ,
connect to / receive impulses from / transmit impulses to ,
many neurones ;
3 allows summation ;
4 idea that filters out , ‘background’ / low level , stimuli
or
ensures that only stimulation that is strong enough
will be passed on;

22
Q

the structure of a motor neurone differs from that of a sensory neurone

A

the motor neurone - structure
the cell body is at (one) end of the , neurone / cell
or
the cell body is in , brain / spinal cord / CNS
or
dendrites connected (directly) to cell body
or
long(er) axon
or
no dendron
or
axon , connects to / ends at , effector / motor end plate ;

23
Q

the function of a motor neurone differs from that of a sensory neurone.

A

the motor neurone - function
carries , impulse(s) / action potential(s) ,
from , brain / spinal cord / CNS / relay neurone
or
carries , impulse(s) / action potential(s) ,
to , effector / muscle / gland ;

24
Q

Describe the function of myelin sheath

A

structure A / Schwann cell / it , produces myelin ;
(electrical) insulation / insulates ;
prevents movement of ions , into / out of , neurone / axon
or
prevents depolarisation ;
speeds up , conduction / transmission / passage , of ,
impulse / action potential ;
action potentials / local circuits / depolarisation /
only occur at , gaps / nodes (of Ranvier) ;
saltatory conduction / described ;

25
Q

Name the process by which acetylcholine travels across the synaptic cleft.

A

diffusion

26
Q

A feature of synapses is that they allow transmission in only one direction.State how this is achieved.

A

idea that only the presynaptic neurone ,
produces / releases / contains ,
acetylcholine / ACh / (neuro)transmitter ;
only the presynaptic membrane has ,
Ca(2+) / calcium (ion) , channels ;
idea that only the postsynaptic , membrane / neurone ,
has (ACh) receptors ;
ACh broken down at postsynaptic membrane ;

27
Q

Atropine is a similar shape to acetylcholine. The presence of atropine prevents the initiation of an action potential in the post-synaptic neurone.Explain how the presence of atropine in the synapse will prevent the initiation of an action potential.

A

idea that atropine , binds to / occupies / competes for ,
(ACh) receptor on postsynaptic ,
membrane / neurone ;
idea that prevents ACh binding / blocks binding site /
blocks receptor ;
ion gates / ion channels / sodium channels /
protein channels , do not open / remain closed ;
Na+ cannot enter / K+ cannot leave ,
neurone / (nerve) cell ;
no / insufficient , depolarisation / postsynaptic potential /
excitatory postsynaptic potential / epsp /
generator potential ;
(so) does not reach threshold (value / potential) ;

28
Q

Nerve gases have been used as chemical weapons. Some nerve gases act by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, prolonging the effect of acetylcholine.Suggest how atropine could act as an antidote to nerve gas.

A

idea that will , bind to / occupy / compete for / block ,
(some of ACh) receptors ;
so acetylcholine / ACh , cannot bind / less likely to bind
(to receptor / to postsynaptic membrane) ;
prevents / reduces ,
constant stimulation / overstimulation /
constant depolarisation ,
of postsynaptic neurone
or
prevents / reduces ,
constant firing of action poten

29
Q

Outline the hormonal and nervous mechanisms involved in the control of heart rate.

A

drenalin(e) increases ,
heart rate / stroke volume / cardiac output ;
cardiovascular centre in medulla oblongata ;
idea of nervous connection to , SAN / sino-atrial node ;
(which) controls frequency of waves of ,
excitation / depolarisation ;
vagus / parasympathetic , nerve decreases heart rate ;
accelerator / sympathetic , nerve increases heart rate ;
high blood pressure detected by ,
stretch receptors / baroreceptors ;
low blood pH / increased levels of blood CO2 ,
detected by chemoreceptors ;
(receptors) in , aorta / carotid sinus / carotid arteries ;
QWC
cardiovascular centre, medulla oblongata,
sino-atrial node, vagus or parasympathetic,
carotid, accelerator or sympathetic,
chemoreceptor

30
Q

Suggest why MS is described as an auto-immune condition.

A

attacked by the body’s (own) immune system ;
(immune system) mistakes / treats / recognises ,
body cells / neurones / myelin ,
as , ‘foreign’ / non self ;
correct ref. to , antibodies / (named) phagocytes /
(named) B lymphocytes / (named) T lymphocytes ;

31
Q

Explain why this damage leads to a loss of sensation.

A

(damage to) myelin / sheath / Schwann cell(s) ;
removes / has less , insulation ;
interferes with / slows / stops ,
conduction of , (nerve) impulse / action potential
or
slows / stops / prevents , saltatory conduction / described ;
occurs , in sensory neurones /
towards brain / towards CNS /
from sensory organ / from receptor ;

32
Q

Describe the structure of the myelin sheath

A

myelin / myelinated / lipid / fatty (sheath) ;
(Schwann) cell, wrapped around / surrounds / AW, axon ;
except at nodes of Ranvier / (sheath) not continuous /
presence of gaps (in the sheath) ;

33
Q

Suggest why an increase in temperature results in an increase in the speed of conduction.

A 
increased kinetic energy / KE so,
 ions diffuse, across (axon) membrane / into neurone / into
 cell / between nodes / along neurone, more quickly
or
 faster movement of (neurotransmitter) vesicles /
 exocytosis (of neurotransmitter)
or
 neurotransmitter diffuses more quickly across,
 synapse / synaptic cleft
or
 neurotransmitter (ACh) broken down by
 enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) more quickly ;
faster diffusion of ions leads to,
 faster depolarisation
or
 shorter duration of action potential
 or
 shorter refractory period
 or
 faster repolarisation ;
34
Q

As the temperature continues to increase, it reaches a point at which the conduction of the impulse ceases. Suggest why.

A

ion, channels / pumps,
disrupted / denatured / no longer function ;
fluidity of, membrane / phospholipid / bilayer, disrupted ;
(named) synaptic enzymes denatured ;

35
Q

Outline the events following the arrival of an action potential at the synaptic knob until the acetylcholine has been released into the synapse.

A

calcium channels open ;
Ca2+ / Ca++ / calcium ions , enter / diffuse into,
acetylcholine / ACh / neurotransmitter, in vesicle(s) ;
(synaptic) vesicles move towards presynaptic membrane ;
vesicles fuse with membrane ;
release acetylcholine, by exocytosis , into synaptic cleft
QWC
channel(s), vesicle(s),
neurotransmitter, presynaptic / pre-synaptic,
exocytosis, cleft,

36
Q

Where, precisely, are acetylcholine receptors found?

A 
postsynaptic membrane(s) (in ,
neurone / neuromuscular junction) ;
37
Q

suggest and explain the effect that nicotine(similar shape as acetylcholine) has on the nervous system.

A 
Effect
Nicotine slows down rate of / stops, transmission of,
action potentials / nervous impulses;
Plus any 2 of the following:
Explain
binds to receptor;
(nicotine) has the same response /
 opens Na+
channels / causes depolarisation ;
nicotine remains in receptor for longer ;
idea that receptor ,
remains in refractory stage for longer /
unable to return to standby condition /
cannot be reactivated ;
38
Q

compare the structure and function of the dopamine synapse and the neuromuscular junction.

A 
e
structure
mitochondria
or
vesicles
or
postsynaptic receptors ;
NMJ membrane(s),
wavy / AW * ora
or
receptors different
(shape)
or
enzymes in different
places ;
function
(neuro)transmitter,
released / crosses gap
or
changes potential
difference / AW **
or
enzymes break down
(neuro)transmitter ;
different
neurotransmitters /
ACh vs. dopamine
or
muscle contraction
vs. nerve impulse
or
different enzymes ;
39
Q

Schizophrenia is a condition in which there is a higher than usual level of dopamine in certain areas of the brain.
Suggest why phenothiazine is used to treat schizophrenia

A

(drug) occupies / blocks / binds to, (dopamine) receptors ;
without causing, action potential / response ;
reduces effect of dopamine / is a dopamine antagonist ;

biology module 5 (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions