Neurons & Synapses: BIOPSYCHOLOGY

Question 1

What are Neurons?

Answer 1

Cables of the body that carry information in electric impulses (action potential)

Question 2

Three types of neuron

Answer 2

Relay, Motor, Sensory

Question 3

Function of Sensory neurons

Answer 3

Receiving information

Question 4

Function of Relay neurons

Answer 4

Transmitting information

Question 5

Function of Motor neurons

Answer 5

Controlling muscles to respond

Question 6

Process at a Reflex Arc

Answer 6

1. Receptor detects a stimulus
2. Sensory neurons send electric impulses to relay neurons. Connect sensory to motor neurons
3. Effector produces a response from the motor neuron

Question 7

Seven features of a neuron

Answer 7

1. Cell body
2. Dendrite
3. Myelin Sheath
4. Axon Terminal
5. Axon
6. Nucleus
7. Nodes of Ranvier

Question 8

What is Synaptic Transmission ?

Answer 8

Communication of neurons through synapses. Action potentials are translated into neurotransmitters. These are interpreted at receptors.

Question 9

Process of Synaptic Transmission

Answer 9

1. AP or NT arrive at terminal from axon
2. Neurotransmitter is packaged into vesicles
3. Vesicle fuses with cell membrane
4. NT fuses across synapse
5. NT binds to receptors
6. Surplus NTs are broken down or recycled by uptake channels