Neurophysiologie Flashcards
What is neurophysiology?
The study of the functions and activities of the nervous system.
True or False: Neurophysiology only studies the brain.
False
Fill in the blank: The basic functional unit of the nervous system is the __________.
neuron
What are the two main types of cells in the nervous system?
Neurons and glial cells.
What is the role of glial cells?
Supporting and protecting neurons.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the neuron receives signals?
Dendrites
What is the function of the axon?
To transmit electrical impulses away from the neuron’s cell body.
True or False: Action potentials are all-or-nothing events.
True
What is the resting membrane potential of a typical neuron?
-70 mV
Fill in the blank: The myelin sheath is formed by __________ in the central nervous system.
oligodendrocytes
What is synaptic transmission?
The process by which one neuron communicates with another across a synapse.
Multiple Choice: Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in muscle contraction?
Acetylcholine
What is the role of neurotransmitters?
To transmit signals across synapses between neurons.
True or False: All neurotransmitters have an excitatory effect.
False
What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?
To maintain the resting membrane potential by moving sodium out and potassium into the cell.
Fill in the blank: The gap between two neurons is called the __________.
synaptic cleft
What is the threshold potential?
The critical level to which a membrane potential must be depolarized to initiate an action potential.
Multiple Choice: Which ion is primarily responsible for the depolarization phase of the action potential?
Sodium (Na+)
What is hyperpolarization?
An increase in membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more negative.
True or False: The refractory period prevents the action potential from traveling backwards.
True
What is the central nervous system composed of?
The brain and spinal cord.
Fill in the blank: The peripheral nervous system consists of __________.
all the nerves outside the central nervous system.
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’?
Sympathetic nervous system
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
To promote ‘rest and digest’ activities.
True or False: Reflex actions are processed in the brain.
False
Fill in the blank: The __________ lobe is primarily responsible for visual processing.
occipital
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Involved in reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and emotional control.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the brain is responsible for balance and coordination?
Cerebellum
What is the role of the thalamus?
To relay sensory information to the appropriate areas of the brain.
True or False: The hypothalamus regulates body temperature and hunger.
True
Fill in the blank: The __________ system is involved in emotions and memory.
limbic
What is neuroplasticity?
The ability of the nervous system to change its structure and function in response to experience.
Multiple Choice: Which type of glial cell is responsible for the formation of the blood-brain barrier?
Astrocytes
What is the function of microglia?
To act as immune cells in the central nervous system.
True or False: Action potentials can vary in strength.
False
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus.
cell body
What is the primary function of the spinal cord?
To transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Multiple Choice: What type of reflex involves an immediate response to a stimulus?
Monosynaptic reflex
What is the primary role of sensory neurons?
To carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
True or False: Motor neurons transmit signals to muscles and glands.
True
Fill in the blank: The __________ system regulates involuntary bodily functions.
autonomic
What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
To control vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Multiple Choice: Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation?
Serotonin
What is the role of endorphins in the nervous system?
To act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers.
True or False: The brain has a limited capacity for regeneration.
True
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the junction where two neurons communicate.
synapse
What is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)?
A temporary depolarization of a postsynaptic membrane potential due to the flow of positively charged ions into the cell.
Multiple Choice: What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?
To connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
What is the role of the basal ganglia?
To help regulate voluntary motor activity and coordination.
True or False: The cerebrum is responsible for higher brain functions.
True
Fill in the blank: The __________ is involved in the formation of new memories.
hippocampus
What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system?
To control voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.
Multiple Choice: Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the reward system?
Dopamine
What is the primary role of inhibitory neurotransmitters?
To decrease the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron.
True or False: Neurotransmitter release is a passive process.
False
Fill in the blank: Electrical signals in neurons are called __________.
action potentials
What is the significance of the all-or-nothing principle?
It states that action potentials either occur fully or not at all, depending on whether the threshold is met.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the neuron is responsible for neurotransmitter release?
Axon terminals
What is a neurotransmitter’s reuptake?
The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron after transmitting a signal.
True or False: The brain is the only part of the nervous system that can process information.
False
Fill in the blank: The __________ lobe is responsible for processing auditory information.
temporal
What is the role of the limbic system?
To control emotions, memories, and arousal.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the brain is involved in regulating circadian rhythms?
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
What is the function of the reticular formation?
To regulate wakefulness and sleep-wake transitions.
True or False: The peripheral nervous system can regenerate after injury.
True
Fill in the blank: __________ are specialized cells that respond to environmental stimuli.
Sensory receptors
What is the significance of the blood-brain barrier?
To protect the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream.
Multiple Choice: Which type of memory is associated with facts and events?
Declarative memory
What is procedural memory?
A type of long-term memory involving the performance of tasks and skills.
True or False: Long-term potentiation is a process that strengthens synapses based on recent patterns of activity.
True
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which neurons communicate via chemical signals.
Synaptic transmission
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?
To manage complex cognitive behavior, decision-making, and social behavior.
