Neuroscience

Question 1

3 ways Neurons differ from standard cells

Answer 1

1. Their metabolism is specialised
2. Their cell membranes contain selective ion channels
3. They have cell processes which are where metabolic processes occur

Question 2

what supporting cell are neurons surrounded by

Answer 2

glial cells

Question 3

what does it mean when a neuron is myelinated by a glial cell, and why does this benefit the neuron?

Answer 3

The glial cell membrane wraps around the axon, surrounding it in myelin (lipid/fat). Good for the neuron because myelin acts as an insulating layer meaning the conduction of the nerve impulse can happen faster

Question 4

why is the balance of ions unequal in neurons

Answer 4

the sodium-potassium pump removes the sodium ions making the electrical charge of the neuron negative (-80)

Question 5

What is the number for the threshold

Answer 5

-60mV

Question 6

What is action potential

Answer 6

When the + sodium ions outnumber the - chloride ions, making the electrical charge positive

Question 7

What is the all or none rule

Answer 7

A neuron will either fire (action potential) if threshold is exceeded or it wont

Question 8

What is the refractory period

Answer 8

The time taken for an axon to recover its ionic balance before it can generate another action potential

Question 9

What is a synpase

Answer 9

A junction between 2 neurons or between a neuron and its target organ

Question 10

Why do synapses only allow one way communication

Answer 10

1. only presynaptic axons contain neurotransmitters
2. only post synaptic dendrites contain receptors for neuro transmitters

Question 11

Name the 5 main neuro transmitters

Answer 11

Acetyl choline
Glycine
Glutamate
Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)
Noradrenaline

Question 12

What is acetyl choline

Answer 12

NT at neuro-muscular junctions in the PNS

Question 13

what is Glycine

Answer 13

Inhibitory NT in the CNS

Question 14

what is Glutamate

Answer 14

excitory NT in the CNS

Question 15

What is GABA

Answer 15

inhibitory NT in CNS

Question 16

What is Noradrenaline

Answer 16

NT in sympathetic system

Question 17

why are NT rapidly destroyed

Answer 17

to prevent a repeated transmission

Question 18

what does grey matter comprise of

Answer 18

dendrites, cell bodies, and synapses

Question 19

what does white matter comprise of

Answer 19

axons

Question 20

where does ascending sensory pathways transmit information from and to

Answer 20

from the sensory spinal nerves to the brain

Question 21

where does descending motor pathways transmit information from and to

Answer 21

from the brain to motor spinal nerves

Question 22

what enters the dorsal horn

Answer 22

sensory axons

Question 23

what leaves the ventral horn

Answer 23

motor axons

Question 24

what area of the brain is arranged somatopically

Answer 24

the primary motor cortex

Question 25

Parkinson’s disease is a disease of what part of the brain

Answer 25

the basal ganglia

Question 26

what are the symptoms of Parkinsons disease

Answer 26

hypokinesia, rigidity, resting tremor

Question 27

Where is Brocas aphasia

Answer 27

lower left frontal cortex

Question 28

where is Wernicke’s aphasia

Answer 28

temporal and occipital lobes