Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

A level- Biology > Neuronal communication > Flashcards

Neuronal communication Flashcards

1
Q

What are 4 different types of receptor

A
  1. Mechanoreceptor
  2. Chemoreceptors
  3. Thermoreceptors
  4. Photoreceptors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the mecahnoreceptor do

A
  1. Stimulus- pressure and movement
  2. Example- Pacinian corpuscle (detects pressure
  3. Example of organ- skin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the chemoreceptors

A
  1. Stimulus- chemicals
  2. Example receptor- Olfactory receptor (detects smell)
  3. Example of organ- nose
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does thermoreceptor

A
  1. Stimulus- heat
  2. Example receptor- end-bulbs of Krause
  3. Example of organ- Tongue
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does the photoreceptors

A
  1. Stimulus- light
  2. Example- cone cell (detects different light wavelengths)
  3. Example of organ- eye
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define sensory receptor

A

Specialised cell that detects a stimulus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define transducer

A

A device that converts one type of energy or signal into another.
In sensory receptors they convert a stimulus into a nerve impulse

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

Define stimulus

A

Detectable change in the internal or external environment of an organism which is detected by the nervous system and can cause a response

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

State 3 characteristics of sensory receptors and for each explain why they are important.

A
  1. They are specific to a single type of stimulus- you don’t a stimulus to trigger multiple receptors because the response may not be suitable for the stimulus
  2. They act as a transducer- convert a stimulus into a nerve impulse- means the information can be passed through the nervous system to cause a response
  3. Sensitive
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Draw and label a diagram showing the structure of a Pacinian corpuscle.

A
  1. The sensory neurone is found within the centre of the centre of the corpuscle surrounded by layers of connective tissue
  2. Each layer is separated by a layer of gel
  3. Within the membrane of the neurone there are sodium ion channels- responsible for transporting sodium ions across the membrane
  4. The neurone ending in the Pacinian corpuscle has a special type of sodium channel called a stretch mediated sodium channel
  5. When these channels change shape their permeability to sodium also changes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Explain how a Pacinian corpuscle converts mechanical pressure into a nerve impulse.

A
  1. In its normal state (resting state) the stretch-mediated sodium ion channels in the sensory neurone’s membranes are too narrow to allow sodium ions to pass through them.
  2. Pacinian corpuscle has a resting potential
  3. When pressure is applied to the Pacinian corpuscle, the corpuscle changes shape, this causes the membrane surrounding its neurone to stretch
  4. When the membrane stretches, the sodium ion channels present widen. Sodium can now diffuse into the neurone
  5. The influx of positive sodium ions changes the potential of the membrane- becomes depolarised. This results in a generator potential.
  6. In turn, the generator potential creates an action potential (a nerve impulse) that passes along the sensory neurone
  7. The action potential will then be transmitted along neurones to the CNS
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Outline the steps in a stimulus-response pathway and identify the role of the sensory, relay, and motor neurones in this pathway.

A
  1. Receptor- detects a stimulus and creates an action potential in the sensory neurone
  2. Sensory neurone- carries impulse to spinal cord
  3. Relay neurone- connects the sensory neurone to the motor neurone within the spinal cord or brain
  4. Motor neurone- carries impulse to the effector to carry out the appropriate response
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Draw and label diagrams of a motor neurone

A
  1. They have many short dendrites and a long axon
  2. Cell body with nucleus in it on the left side
  3. Dendrites attached to the cell body
  4. Long axon leading to dendrites on the right side
  5. Myelin sheath around the axon with the unmyelinated parts called the nodes of Ranvier
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Draw and label diagrams of a sensory neurone

A
  1. They have one dendron which caries the impulse to the cell body
  2. They have one short axon that carries the impulse away from the cell body
  3. Dendrites branch of from the dendron and axon
  4. The cell body is in the middle of the axon
  5. Have a myelinated sheath and Nodes of Ranvier
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Draw and label diagrams of a relay neurone

A
  1. Many short axons and dendrons
  2. Cell body in the middle as a circle surrounded by small dendrons and axons
  3. Dendrites branch from the axons and dendrons
  4. Myelinated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define dendrite

A

Projections of a neurone that receives signals from other neurones they conduct electrical neurones to the cell body for the cell to function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define dendron

A
  1. These are short extensions which come from the cell body
    2, These extensions divide into smaller branches called dendrites
  2. They are responsible for transmitting electrical impulses towards the cell body
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define axon

A
  1. These are singular, elongated nerve fibres that transmit impulses away from the cell body
  2. These fibres can be very long, e.g. those that transmit impulses from the tips of toes and fingers to the spinal cord.
  3. The fibre is cylindrical in shape consisting of a very narrow region of cytoplasm surrounded by a plasma membrane
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define cell body

A
  1. This contains the nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm
  2. Within the cytoplasm there are large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria which are involved in the production of neurotransmitters
  3. Neurotransmitters are chemicals which are used to pass signals from one neurone to the next
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define myelinated sheath

A

Membrane rich in lipid which surrounds the axon of some neurones, speeding up impulse transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define Schwann cell

A

Produce layers of membrane by growing around the axon many times- producing the myelin sheath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Define nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps between each adjacent Schwann cell. With the myelin sheath they allow faster speed of transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Define nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps between each adjacent Schwann cell. With the myelin sheath they allow faster speed of transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe and explain the advantage of myelination

A
  1. The myelin sheath acts as an insulating layer and allows these myelinated neurones to conduct the electrical impulse at a much faster speed than un-myelinated neurones
  2. The nodes of Ranvier create gaps in the myelin sheath.
  3. The myelin sheath is an electrical insulator
  4. In myelinated neurones the electrical impulse jumps from one node to the next as it travels along the neurone
  5. This allows the impulse to be transmitted much faster
  6. In non-myelinated neurones the impulse does not jump- transmits continuously along the nerve fibre so is much slower.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Explain why some neurones are myelinated and others are unmyelinated.

A
  1. When the stimulus is non urgent they don’t need the very fast transmission e.g temperature change or a dull ache
  2. When the stimulus is urgent they need to have fast a fast transmission to protect the body from danger e.g burning candle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Describe what the resting potential is

A
  1. When a neurone is not transmitting an impulse the potential different across its membrane is known as a resting potential
  2. In this state, the outside of the membrane is more positively charged than the inside of the axon.
  3. The membranes is said to be polarised as there is a potential difference across it
  4. It is normally about -70mV
  5. Some potassium ion channels are open (mainly those that aren’t voltage-gated)
  6. Sodium voltage-gated ion channels are closed.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Explain the role of sodium ions, potassium ions, organic anions, the sodium/potassium ion pump and potassium ion channels in establishing and maintaining the resting potential.

A
  1. Sodium ions are actively transported out of the axon whereas potassium ions are actively transported into the axon by a specific intrinsic protein known as the sodium potassium pump
    2, However their movement is not equal. For every 3 sodium ions pumped out, two potassium ions are pumped in.
  2. As a result there are more sodium ions outside the membrane than inside the axon cytoplasm, whereas there are more potassium ions inside the cytoplasm than outside the axon.
  3. Therefore, the sodium ions diffuse back into the axon down its electrochemical gradient whereas potassium ions diffuse out of the axon
  4. However, most gated sodium ion channels are closed preventing the movement of sodium ions, whereas many potassium ion channels are open, so the potassium ions can diffuse out of the axon
  5. Therefore, there are more positively charged ions outside the axon than inside the cell.
  6. This creates the resting potential of -70mV.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Explain why a neurone is active when it is said to be resting.

A
  1. Because it is still actively transporting ions using the sodium potassium pump
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Define resting potential

A

Potential difference across the membrane of the axon of a neurone at rest

30
Q

Define voltage gated channel

A

Any ion channel that opens and closes in response to changes in electrical potential across the cell membrane in which the channel is situated

31
Q

Define threshold potential

A

The membrane voltage that must be reached in an excitable cell during depolarisation in order to generate an action potential

32
Q

Define action potential

A

The change in the potential difference across the neurone membrane of the axon when stimulated (approx +40mV)

33
Q

Define nerve impulses

A

The movement of an action potential along a nerve fibre in response to a stimulus

34
Q

Define polarised

A

When there is a difference in mV inside a cell compared to outside a cell

35
Q

Define depolarisation

A

A loss of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane

36
Q

Define repolarisation

A

Restoration of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane following depolarisation

37
Q

Define hyperpolarisation

A

Hyperpolarisation is a change in a cell’s membrane potential that makes it more negative.

38
Q

Describe how the depolarisation of the membrane occurs and what is required for it to lead to an action potential.

A
  1. A stimulus is detected by a sensory receptor which sets of these events
  2. The energy from the stimulus triggers some sodium voltage gated ion channels to open, making the membrane more permeable to sodium ions.
  3. Sodium ions therefore diffuse into the axon- making the inside of the neurone less negative
  4. The potential difference reaches threshold potential meaning an action potential will happen.
  5. This change in charge causes more voltage-gated sodium ion channels to open allowing more sodium ions to diffuse into the axon- positive feedback
  6. When the potential difference reaches approx +40mV the voltage-gated sodium ion channels close and voltage-gates potassium ion channels open
  7. Sodium can no longer enter the axon but the membrane is now more permeable to potassium ions
39
Q

Describe the process of repolarisation

A
  1. The voltage-gated sodium ion channels are closed and potassium ion channels are open
  2. Potassium ions diffuse out of the axon down their electrochemical gradient. This reduces the charge, resulting in the inside of the axon becoming more negative than the outside
  3. Initially lots of potassium ions diffuse out of the axon, resulting in the inside of the axon becoming more negative than its normal resting state- hyperpolarisation
  4. The voltage-gated potassium channels now close.
  5. The sodium-potassium pump causes sodium ions to move out of the cell, and potassium ions move in.
  6. The axon returns to resting potential- repolarised
40
Q

Draw, label and annotate a graph of an action potential occurring over time to show the different stages of an action potential and what happens at each stage.

A
  1. look p350
  2. flat line at around -70
  3. Goes up to form a curve, the peak of the curve at +40
  4. A slight bump on the ascending line to show the threshold level.
  5. Descending line goes slightly past -70 and then goes back up to resting potential
41
Q

Define the term “refractory period” and explain its importance for the conduction of the action potential.

A
  1. A short period of time when the axon cannot be excited again, known as the refractory period.
  2. During this time the voltage-gated sodium ion channels remain closed preventing the movement of sodium ions into the axon
  3. It is important because it prevents the propagation of an action potential backwards along the axon as well as forwards.
  4. The refractory period makes sure action potentials are unidirectional and it also ensures that action potentials do not overlap and occur as discrete impulses.
42
Q

Define local circuits

43
Q

Define saltatory conduction

A

A form of nerve impulse conduction in which the impulse jumps from one Ranvier’s node to the next, rather than traveling the entire length of the nerve fibre.

44
Q

Describe and explain how an action potential is transmitted along an unmyelinated axon.

A
  1. The initial stimulus causes a change in the sensory receptor which triggers an action potential in the sensory receptor, so the first region of the axon membrane is depolarised
  2. This acts as a stimulus for the depolarisation of the next region of the membrane.
  3. The process continues along the length of the axon forming a wave of depolarisation .
  4. Once sodium ions are inside the axon, they are attracted by the negative charge ahead and the concentration gradient to diffuse further along inside the axon, triggering the depolarisation of the next section
45
Q

Describe and explain how an action potential is transmitted along a myelinated axon.

A
  1. Myelinated axons transfer electrical impulses much faster than non-myelinated axons
  2. This is because depolarisation of the axon membrane can only occur at the node of Ranvier where no myelin is present
  3. Here the sodium ions can pass through the protein channels in the membrane. Longer localised circuits therefore arise between adjacent nodes.
  4. The action potential then jumps from one node to another in a process known as saltatory conduction.
  5. This is much faster than the wave of depolarisation along the whole length of the axon membrane,
  6. Every time channels open and ions move it takes time, so reducing the number of places where this happens speeds up the action potential transmission
  7. Long-term saltatory conduction is also more energy efficient. Repolarisation uses ATP in the sodium-potassium pump, so by reducing the amount of repolarisation needed, saltatory conduction makes the conduction makes the conduction of impulses.
46
Q

Draw and annotate a graph of an action potential conducting down an unmyelinated axon.

A
  1. Distance along the bottom and action potential on the y axis
  2. Reverse of membrane potential to time
  3. Hyperpolarisation first, then repolarisation, then depolarisation
  4. Opposite because as you go along an axon the part closest will be furthest through its action potential
47
Q

Explain what is meant by the “all-or-nothing” response of neurones

A
  1. A certain level of stimulus- threshold value- always triggers a response
  2. If the threshold is reached an action potential will always be created.
  3. No matter how large the stimulus is, the same sized action potential will always be triggered.
  4. If the threshold is no reached, no action potential will be triggered
48
Q

Explain why the “all-or-nothing” response of neurones means that information must be transmitted by the frequency of impulse transmission.

A
  1. The size of the stimulus doesn’t affect the size of the action potential
  2. But it does effect the number of action potentials that are generated in a given time.
  3. The larger the stimulus the more frequently the action potentials are generated.
  4. It is the frequency of action potentials that affect the response initiated not the size
49
Q

Apart from myelination what are the two other factors that affect the speed of transmission

A
  1. Axon diameter- The bigger the axon diameter, the faster the impulse is transmitted. This is because there is less resistance to the flow of ions in the cytoplasm, compared with those in a smaller axon
  2. Temperature- The higher the temperature, the faster the nerve impulse. This is because ions diffuse faster at higher temperature. Only occurs to about 40 degrees as higher causes the proteins to become denatured.
50
Q

Define neurotransmitter

A

Chemical involved in communication across a synapse between adjacent neurones and a muscle cell

51
Q

Define synapse

A

The junction (small gap) between two neurones, or a neurone and an effector

52
Q

Define cholinergic synapse

A

A synapse is cholinergic if it uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter.

53
Q

Define synaptic knob

A

The swollen end of the presynaptic neurone. It contains many mitochondria and large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum to enable it to manufacture neurotransmitters.

54
Q

Define presynaptic membrane

A

The membrane of the neurone along which the impulse has arrived

55
Q

Define synaptic cleft

A

The gap which separates the axon of one neurone from the dendrite of the next neurone

56
Q

Define postsynaptic membrane

A

The membrane of the neurone that receives the neurotransmitter

57
Q

Define acetylcholine

A

An example of an excitatory neurotransmitter

58
Q

Define acetylcholinesterase

A

An enzyme that causes rapid hydrolysis of acetylcholine. Its action serves to stop excitation of a nerve after transmission of an impulse.

59
Q

Define synaptic vesicle

A

Vesicles containing neurotransmitters. The vesicles fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release their contents into the synaptic cleft

60
Q

Define neurotransmitter receptors

A

Receptor molecules which the neurotransmitter binds to in the postsynaptic membrane

61
Q

Draw, label and annotate a diagram to show the structures present in a cholinergic synapse

A

p355 Memorise a diagram they all include these features:

  1. Synaptic cleft
  2. Presynaptic neurone
  3. Postsynaptic neurone
  4. Synaptic knob
  5. Synaptic vesicles
  6. Neurotransmitter receptors
62
Q

Describe the structure of the sodium channels on the post synaptic membrane.

A
  1. Made up of 5 proteins sub-units

2. Has receptor sites where the neurotransmitter binds to

63
Q

Describe the sequences of events that occur at a synapse that can result in an action potential being generated in the post-synaptic neurone

A
  1. The action potential reaches the end of the presynaptic neurone
  2. Depolarisation of the presynaptic membrane causes calcium ion channels to open
  3. Calcium ions diffuse into the presynaptic knob
  4. This causes synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters to fuse with the presynaptic membrane. Neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft by exocytosis
  5. Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds with its specific receptor molecule on the postsynaptic membrane
  6. This causes sodium ion channels to open
  7. Sodium ions diffuse into the postsynaptic neurone
  8. This triggers an action potential and the impulse is propagated along the postsynaptic neurone.
64
Q

Describe the role of acetylcholinesterase and explain how acetylcholine is recycled.

A
  1. Once a neurotransmitter has triggered an action potential in the postsynaptic neurone, it is important that it is removed so the stimulus is not maintained, and so another stimulus can arrive and affect the synapse
  2. Any neurotransmitter left in the synaptic cleft is removed
  3. Acetylcholine is broken down by enzymes which also releases them from the receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
  4. The products are taken back into the presynaptic knob where ATP released by mitochondria is used to recombine choline and ethanoic acid into acetylcholine.
  5. This is stored in vesicles for future use.
  6. Sodium ion channels close in the absence of acetylcholine in the receptor site
  7. Removing the transmitter from the synaptic cleft prevents the response from happening again and allows the neurotransmitter to be recycled
65
Q

Explain why synapses are unidirectional.

A
  1. As the neurotransmitter receptors are only present on the postsynaptic membrane, impulses can only travel from the presynaptic neurone to the postsynaptic neurone
66
Q

Define summation

A

Build up of neurotransmitter in a synapse to sufficient levels to trigger an action potential

67
Q

Define spatial summation

A
  1. This occurs when a number of presynaptic neurones connect to one postsynaptic neurone
  2. Each releases neurotransmitter which builds up to a high enough level in the synapse to trigger an action potential in the single postsynaptic neurone
68
Q

Define temporal summation

A
  1. This occurs when a single presynaptic neurone releases neurotransmitter as a result of an action potential several times over a short period
  2. This builds up in the synapse until the quantity is sufficient to trigger an action potential
69
Q

State 3 roles of synapses and for each describe the importance of this role to the nervous system.

A
  1. They ensure impulses are unidirectional
  2. They can allow an impulse from one neurone to be transmitted to a number of neurones at multiple synapses. This results in a single stimulus creating a number of simultaneous responses
  3. Alternatively, a number of neurones may feed in to the same synapse with a single postsynaptic neurone. This results in stimuli for different receptors interacting to produce a single response
70
Q

Describe the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter

A
  1. Excitatory- these neurotransmitters result in the depolarisation of the postsynaptic neurone. If the threshold is reached in the postsynaptic membrane an action potential is triggered. Acetylcholine is an example
  2. Inhibitory- These neurotransmitters result in the hyperpolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane. This prevents an action potential being triggered. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is an example

A level- Biology (46 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions