neurons & synapses Flashcards
neurons
individual nerve cells that receive, process, and transmit information
the synapse
the connection between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another
vesicles
store neurotransmitters, to release across the synaptic gap when an action potential reaches the axon terminal
excitatory neurotransmitters
increase the chance of an action potential forming in the post synaptic neuron
inhibitory neurotransmitters
decrease the chance of an action potential forming in the post synaptic neuron
list neurotransmitters + sub
excitatory
- glutamate
inhibitory
- GABA
glutamate
makes post synaptic neuron more likely to fire an action potential
involves
- learning and memory
- synaptic plasticity
GABA
makes post synaptic neuron less likely to fire an action potential
involves
- balances effects of glutamate
- associated with anxiety disordered
neuromodulators
neurochemical. can have an effect on multiple post synaptic neurons. modulates neural activity for longer and on a larger scale than neurotransmitters..
neuromodulator examples
dopamine
serotonin
dopamine
responsible for regulating voluntary movement, pleasure, reward based learning.
produced in the substantia nigra, extends into the basal ganglia
serotonin
regulates mood and sleep/ sleep-wake cycle. produced in the rach nuclei.
synaptic plasticity
negative & positive
the ability of synaptic connections to modify and change from experience
negative - eg due to injury
positive - eg due to learning
sprouting
dendrites of axons sprout new growth in response to experience. it allows for new synapses to form
rerouting
alternative synaptic connections form from neurons that have sustained damage
