Neurons & Neurotransmitters Flashcards
The dark outer ring of the brain is called the ________, which comes from the Latin for tree bark.
cerebral cortex
If you were to dissect all the cerebral cortex from a human brain and lay it flat on a table, it would be the size of a large __________.
pillowcase
In order to fit such a large cerebral cortex into our relatively small skulls, our brains have a ________ appearance.
folded
The cerebral cortex is important because it contains the ___________________.
upper functions, which determine humanity and personality
What are the four lobes of the brain?
- frontal lobe
- temporal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
The lobe most relevant to our mental health class is the frontal lobe, which is responsible for _________ ________. It’s the CEO of the brain.
executive function
The temporal lobe is responsible for ___________.
hearing/sound and creating/understanding speech
The parietal lobe is responsible for what functions?
motor skills, spatial reasoning, reading, memory
The occipital lobe is responsible for which function?
sight/vision
Deeper in the brain is a complex system of neurons called the ______ ______. Many of the psychiatric medications interact with neurons in this system.
limbic system
Parts of the limbic systems include … (4)
the hippocampus,
the amygdala,
the hypothalamus, and
the frontal lobe
What is the limbic system responsible for?
learning,
memory,
emotions (fear, anger, pleasure),
and basic drives (hunger and sex)
a type of individual brain cell with which psychiatric medications interact
neurons
Neurons don’t actually touch but communicate with each other via chemicals called _______________.
neurotransmitters
basic structures of neurons include … (5)
dendrites cell body axon myelin sheath axon terminals
Match the neuron structure to its function:
- dendrites
- cell body
- axon
- action potential
- myelin sheath
- axon terminals
A. the electrical discharge conducted along the axon
B. internal voltage is changed by dendrite trigger
C. protective covering of axon
D. the end of the terminal that releases neurotransmitters
E. receptors triggered by neurotransmitters
F. conducts electrical charge once voltage threshold is crossed
- E
- B
- F
- A
- C
- D
What is a synapse?
A tiny gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the receiving dendrite of the next neuron
Ways neurotransmitter signals can terminate (3)
diffusion
enzyme degradation
reuptake
Define “reuptake”
neurotransmitters are brought back inside the presynaptic terminal where they can be recycled for future use
Describe what it means for a drug to block or inhibit reuptake
More of the drug remains in the synapse, continuing to be active
Three neurotransmitters that regulate mood:
dopamine and norepinephrine and serotonin
Excessive amounts of norepinephrine can lead to _______ and _________ since it activates the “fight or flight” response
anxiety, agitation
Neurotransmitter that regulates voluntary muscle movements, along with attention, concentration, pleasure, energy, motivation, and mood
Dopamine
the main excitatory neurotransmitter; the brain’s gas pedal
glutamate
the main inhibatory neurotransmitter; the brain’s brake pedal
GABA
three effects of increased GABA activity
reducing anxiety
inducing sleep
stopping/preventing seizures
This neurotransmitter regulates attention and memory; medications that increase this are often prescribed for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
acetylcholine
This neurotransmitter is produced in a small region of the brainstem called the “Raphe nuclei;” neurons in the region stretch outward into may other parts of the brain, which is why this neurotransmitter affects mood, anxiety, appetite, and sexual function.
serotonin
