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C8306 Psychobiology > Neurons, neural communication and synaptic transmission (1) > Flashcards

Neurons, neural communication and synaptic transmission (1) Flashcards

1
Q

What is neurogenesis?

A

The process where new neurons are formed in the brain.

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1
Q

What in our brains controls behaviour?

A

The sending of messages and connections between our cells.

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2
Q

What is a neuron?

A

They are specialised cells that receive and transmit information throughout the CNS.

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3
Q

What are the four parts of a neuron?

A
  1. Dendrites.
  2. Soma.
  3. Axon.
  4. Pre-synaptic terminal.
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4
Q

Describe the structure of the soma.

A
  • The Soma contains the nucleus which houses the chromosomes and DNA.
  • The bulk of the nucleus is made of cytoplasm which houses the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane.
  • The mitochondria extracts energy from the breakdown of nutrients to provide energy in the form of ATP.
  • The golgi apparatus produces lysosomes to break down unwanted substances.
  • The plasma membrane separates the in and outside of the cell.
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5
Q

What is the function of the axon and what are three key terms associated with it?

A
  • All information is sent along the axon.
  1. Action potential.
  2. Myelin sheath.
  3. Nodes of ranvier.
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6
Q

What is the myelin sheath?

A

The insulating material that covers the axon.

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7
Q

What are the nodes of ranvier?

A

Breaks in the myelin.

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8
Q

How do dendrites work?

A
  • All information is received by dendrites.
  • This information is received across a tiny gap called the synapse.
  • Synapses line the surface of the dendrites.
  • Outgrowths called dendritic spines increase the surface area available for communication.
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9
Q

What happens when an action potential reaches the pre-synaptic terminal?

A

They secrete a neurotransmitter which travels across the synapse to the next neuron in the chain.

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10
Q

What do the neurotransmitters do to the postsynaptic receptors?

A

Either excite or inhibit.

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11
Q

What is saltatory conduction?

A

How the action potential travels.
It passes down the axon, and jumps between the un-myelinated areas (Nodes of Ranvier).

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12
Q

What are two advantages of saltatory conduction?

A
  1. Energy is saved as sodium-potassium pumps are only required at specific points along the axon.
  2. Conduction of an action potential is much faster in myelinated axons.
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13
Q

What is resting potential?

A
  • There are more sodium ions outside the cell and more potassium cells inside the cell, providing electrical energy.
  • It is -70 volts.
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14
Q

What is an electrostatic gradient?

A

Positive ions being attracted to negative ions.

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15
Q

What is diffusion gradient?

A

When high concentrations of ions are attracted to areas of low concentration.

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16
Q

How does a neuron maintain its resting potential?

A

The unequal distribution of electrical charges and different concentrations of ions causes ions to repel and attract and move around.

17
Q

Describe the sodium-potassium pump.

A

3 sodium ions are pumped out and 2 potassium ions pumped in using active transport, this helps maintain the negative charge within the neuron.

18
Q

What is it called when the resting potential becomes more positive or negative?

A

More positive = excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP).
More negative = inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP).

19
Q

What are the four stages in EPSP?

A

0 Resting potential.
1 Depolarization.
2 Repolarisation.
3 Hyperpolarisation.

20
Q

Describe depolarisation of EPSP.

A

When stimulated past threshold (-55mV), sodium channels open and sodium rushes into axon causing a region of positive charge.

21
Q

Describe the repolarisation and hyper polarisation of EPSP.

A

Repolarisation =
Sodium channels close, potassium channels open and potassium exits the axon.
Hyperpolarisation =
Potassium continues to exit causing brief undershoot in charge. Ion pumps restore resting balance. Allows for “refractory period”

22
Q

What is the difference between EPSP and IPSP?

A

EPSP sends the signal/neuron, while IPSP makes it harder to send.

23
Q

What is the synpase?

A

A small space in-between neurons that they communicate through.

24
Q

Describe components of a neurotransmitter.

A
  • Chemical messengers.
  • Synthesised by Golgi apparatus.
  • Made from pre-cursor molecules.
25
Q

What is a synaptic vesicle?

A

What neurotransmitters are stored in.

26
Q

Describe the process of calcium channels.

A
  • Depolarisation causes vesicles to dock on pre-synaptic membrane using protein clusters.
  • Calcium channels open and calcium floods in.
  • Some calcium ions attach to the dock causing the vesicle to fuse with the membrane.
  • The vesicles releases the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft through the fusion pores. The process of release is called exocytosis.
27
Q

What is a ligand?

A

A chemical that binds to a receptor. Has to be right key for the door.

28
Q

What are three ways neurotransmitters can be removed from the synapse?

A
  1. Diffusion.
  2. Breakdown.
  3. Recycle and reuptake.
29
Q

Describe the diffusion of neurotransmitters out of the cell.

A

Some neurotransmitters will simply drift away from the synaptic cleft by diffusion.

30
Q

Describe the breakdown of neurotransmitters out of the cell.

A

After neurotransmitters have induced their effects, they are broken down by enzymes.

31
Q

Describe the reuptake and recycle of neurotransmitters.

A

Some neurotransmitters can be absorbed back into the presynaptic neuron to be reused again.

32
Q

What is the difference between an agonist and an antagonist?

A
  • Agonists increase the action of neurotransmitters
  • Antagonists block or decrease the action of neurotransmitters.
33
Q

What are the main amino acids in the brain?

A

Glutamate and GABA.

34
Q

Describe glutamate and GABA in relation to postsynaptic potentials.

A
  • Glutamate is excitatory and produces EPSPs.
  • GABA is inhibitory and produces IPSPs.
35
Q

Describe the difference between inotropic and metabrotropic receptor effects.

A
  • Ionotropic involves ligand gated channels.
  • Metabrotropic involves metabrotrpic receptors and the activation of G-proteins.
36
Q

What ions do glutamate and GABA work with?

A

Glutamate = Sodium.
GABA = Chlorine and Potassium.

37
Q

What does alcohol do to glutamate and GABA?

A

It blocks glutamate receptors and enhances GABA functioning.

38
Q

What categories of monoamines do dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin fit into?

A

Dopamine and adrenaline = catecholamines.
Serotonin = indolamines.

39
Q

What is acetylcholine synthesised from?

A

Acetate and choline.

40
Q

What is a neuropeptide?

A

Two or more amino acids linked together.

41
Q

What is the function of nitric oxide?

A

To increase blood flow to the neurons.

C8306 Psychobiology (9 decks)

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