Neurons and Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Neurons
Nerve cells, responsible for communication within the body.
Dendrites
A component of a nerve cell that receives information from other nerve cells and transports this information to the cell body.
Soma
Largest part of a neuron; it controls the metabolism and maintenance of the neuron.
Axon
The part of the neuron along which the electrochemical nerve impulse is transmitted.
Axon Terminals
Located at the end of the axon, it transmits messages to the next neuron by secreting neurotransmitters.
Myelin
A white, fatty, waxy substance that coats some axons and insulates them, protecting them from electrical interference from other neurons; this increases the efficiency of transmission of nerve impulses.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that help communication across nerve synapses.
Synapse
The connection between two neurons.
Synaptic Transmission
The process of neurons sending information to each other va neurotransmitters.
Presynaptic Neuron
A neuron that transmits information to another neuron.
Postsynaptic Neuron
A neuron that receives information from another neuron.
Excitatory Synapses
Cause the target cell to become excited and more likely to fire and cause an action potential.
Inhibitory Synapse
Causes the target cell to become inhibited and less likely to fire and cause an action potential.
Action Potential
A momentary change in the electrical potential of a cell, which allows a nerve cell to transmit a signal or impulse towards another nerve cell.
Glutamate
An excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain involved in learning.
GABA (Gamma- AminoButyric Acid)
An inhibitory neurotransmitter imbalance of GABA is implicated in severe anxiety disorders; also involved in arousal and sleep.
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system involved in muscle contractions, learning and memory and REM sleep.
Epinephrine
A neurotransmitter and hormone involved in stress response.
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter and hormone involved in stress responses, alertness, arousal, emotional regulation and attention.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter involved in thoughts, feelings, motivation and behaviours.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter in the brain involved in the regulation of mood, sleep, eating, arousal and pain.
Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive neurological condition, known to affect the control and movement.
Alzheimer’s Disease
A disease that progressively destroys neurons in the brain, causing memory loss.
