Neurophysiology Flashcards
Where is an action potential initiated?
Axonal hillock
How is an action potential initiated?
- Synaptic signals received by dendrites and soma
- These signals raise intracellular resting membrane potential from -70mV to -55mV
- Na + channels in axons initial segment open
- Na+ influx causes rapid reversal of membrane potential from negative values to +40mV
- Na+ channels close, k+ channels open
- As K+ ions move out of axon, cell membrane gets repolarized
What is the threshold potential?
-55mV
At what mV do the Na+ channels open?
-55mV
At what mV do the Na+ channels close?
+40mV
At what mV do the K+ channels open?
+40mV
What is a synapse?
Junction between 2 cells
What types of synapses are there?
Chemical
Electrical
Conjoint
What are conjoint synapses?
They have both electrical and chemical properties.
What are electrical synapses?
Bring response by electrical communication, without chemical exchange.
How do chemical synapses work?
Presynaptic neuron releases chemical molecule on stimulation. This molecule acts on next neurone to bring on molecular effect or propagate the impulse further down.
What happens to postsynaptic neurons at excitatatory synapses?
They are depolarized
What does inhibitory synaptic activity do to postsynaptic neurons?
Hyperpolarizes them
What is facilitation?
When postsynaptic changes induced by excitatory synapse is not sufficient to induce action potential but may serve to facilitate likelihood of generating an action potential with further stimulation.
What is spatial summation?
When additional input from several other presynaptic cells through other synapses lead to an action potential.
What is temporal summation?
When recurrent stimulation by same synapse results in action potential.
What are the centres in the hypothalamus that control feeding?
Ventromedial hypothalamus
Lateral hypothalamus
Where is the satiety centre?
Ventromedial hypothalamus
Where is the feeding centre?
Lateral hypothalamus
What are the neurochemical mediators of increased appetite?
Ghrelin
Neuropeptide Y
What is the word to describe neurochemical mediators of increased appetite?
Orexigenic
What is the word to describe neurochemical mediators of satiety?
Anorexigenic
What are the neurochemical mediators of satiety?
Leptin
Cholecystokinin
Serotonin
Which orexigenic substance is produced outside of the CNS?
Ghrelin