Neurons And Neurotransmitters (3.1) Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the parts of a neuron?

A
Dendrites
Cell body
Axon
Myelin sheath
Axon terminal
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2
Q

What is the purpose of the myelin sheath?

A

Increases speed of transmission of impulses along an axon

Insulation

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3
Q

What does it mean when a neuron excites a cell? (What needs to happen?)

A

To excite a cell, threshold must be met. Axon then opens gates to let Na and K ions flow, triggering a new neuron.

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4
Q

Importance of inhibitory response

A

When in pain, the brain has mechanisms which inhibit the sensation of pain.

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5
Q

Generally, what is the order in which an impulse will travel through a neuron?

A
Dendrites
Cell body
Axon
Myelin sheath
Axon terminal
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6
Q

What is resting potential and when does it occur?

A

1) an electrical polarization across the membrane

2) whenever an axon is not stimulated

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7
Q

How is an axon get its negative charge?

A

From negatively charged proteins inside the acon

Na+ is always being pushed out by pump, so there is more K ions inside cell and more Na outside at rest.

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8
Q

How does action potential start? (2 ways)

A

Many axons produce spontaneous activity

Input from other neurons excite cell membrane

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9
Q

What does the influx of Na+ translate to?

A

Action potential

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10
Q

T or F - Sodium gates close before potassium gates after a neurotransmitter is delivered.

A

True

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11
Q

Sodium enters the cell and causes ….

A

Excitation

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12
Q

Potassium leaves the cell and causes….

A

The return to resting potential

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13
Q

Where is synapse located in relation to two neurons?

A

At the end of axon terminal of one neuron and before dendrites of another

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14
Q

What structure is located at the end of each axon terminal branch? What does it do?

A

Terminal bouton

Releases a neurotransmitter

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15
Q

Neurotransmitter molecules diffuse across a gap called to receptors called…

A

A postsynaptic neuron

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16
Q

Endocrine vs Nervous - which is faster?

A

Nervous system

17
Q

________ transmitters diffuse to a wider brain area and produce effects that last many minutes.

A

Peptide

18
Q

In what imstances are slow/long messages more useful?

A

Hunger, thirst, sex drive

19
Q

When does a message end?

A

When neurotransmitter separates from receptor

20
Q

What specificslly releases a neurotransmitter?

A

Synaptic vesicles

21
Q

If the binding of a transmitter to receptor cells opens gates for Na+ to enter the cell, this is a ______ _________.

A

Excitatory synapse

22
Q

If binding of transmitter to receptor cell opens gates for charged potassium ions to leave the cell or negatively charged chlorine to enter cell, the cell has a ______ _______.

A

Inhibitory synapse

23
Q

Glutamate: Functions and comment.

A

Main excitatory transmitter present at most synapses. Essential for all brain activities including learning

Strokes kill neurons by excess release of glutamate

24
Q

GABA: Functions and comment.

A

Brain’s main inhibitory transmitter

Antianxiety drugs and antiepileptic druhs increase activity of GABA

25
Q

Acetylcholine: Functions and comment.

A

Increases brain arousal

Released by motor neurons to stimulate muscle cells.

26
Q

Dopamine: Functions and comment.

A

One path is important for movement, the other is important for memory and cognition.

Antipsychotic drugs decrease activity at dopamine synapses. L-dopa is used for Parkinson’s disease.

27
Q

Serotonin: Functions and comment.

A

Modifies many types of motivated and emotional behavior

Many antidepressant drugs prolong activity ar serotonin synapses

28
Q

Norepinephrine: Functions and comment.

A

Enhances storage of memory of meaningful events.

All or nearly all axons releasing thi come ftom a small brain area called locus coerulus.

29
Q

Histamine: Functions and comment.

A

Increases arousal and alertness

Antihistimines block histamines and prevent allergies, but also cause drowsiness.

30
Q

Endorphins: Functions and comment.

A

Decrease pain and increase pleasure

Morphine and heroin stimulate the same receptors as endorphins

31
Q

Nitric oxide: Functions and comment.

A

Dilates bloof vessels in most active brain areas

The only known transmitter that is a GAS

32
Q

Anadamide, 2AG, and others: Functions and comment.

A

Sent by postsynaptic neuron back to presynaptic neuron to decrese further release of transmitters