Neuroscience

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

A cell in the nervous system whose function is to receive and transmit information

Question 2

Cell body (neuron)

Answer 2

• soma
• contains the nucleus
• keeps the cell alive

Question 3

Dendrite

Answer 3

• collects information from other cells
• sends information to the soma

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

• transmits information away from the cell body
  -sends information to other neurons or to muscles and glands

Question 5

The Myelin Sheath

Answer 5

• Surrounds the axon of a neuron
• Consists of fatty tissues
   allows it to work as an insulator
   information moves faster

Question 6

Terminal end or ‘button’

Answer 6

where the synapse is located

Question 7

How do neurons send information?

Answer 7

• Relies on the use of an electrochemical process
• Electrical charge moves through the neurons
• Chemicals emitted from the terminal button allow for communication to the next neuron

Question 8

Action potential

Answer 8

• Electrical signal moves through the neuron due to changes in electrical charge
• Follows the movement of charged particles (ions) from one side of the cell membrane to the other
• Moves from cell body down to the axon of the cell (its end)
• a rapid sequence of changes in the voltage across a membrane

Question 9

The synapse

Answer 9

synaptic junction or synaptic gap
- The junction between the axon tip (terminal button) of one neuron and the dendrite/cell body of another neuron

Question 10

Neurotransmitters

Answer 10

• Chemicals used to send a signal across the synaptic gap
• Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the receiving neuron (this will either inhibit or excite the receiving neuron)

Question 11

Excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 11

• Make it more likely for the receiving neuron to change its electrical state
• This means this neuron will fire its own action potential

Question 12

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 12

• Make it less likely for the neuron to change its electrical state
• May overcome excitatory neurotransmitters
• Makes it less likely for the receiving neuron to fire its own action potential

Question 13

Neurotransmitter reuptake

Answer 13

• Neurotransmitters stimulate the receptors of the receiving neurons
• Chemicals are then taken back up into the sending neuron to be used again

Question 14

Agonist

Answer 14

• Mimics neurotransmitters
• Ex. fentanyl is an agonist for our opiate receptors

Question 15

Antagonist

Answer 15

• Blocks neurotransmitters from entering sites
• Ex. caffeine is an antagonist for adenosine receptors

Question 16

Central nervous system

Answer 16

• Brain and spinal cord
• Brain uses nerves to send messages to the rest of the body (the ‘decision maker’)

Question 17

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 17

• Connects central nervous system to the rest of the body via nerves
   sensory neurons: carry messages from IN from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the CNS
   motor neurons: carry the instructions OUT from the CNS to the body’s tissues
   interneurons: only found in the brain and spinal cord, relay signals between sensory and motor cells

Question 18

Somatic nervous system

Answer 18

(sensory input and motor output)
- Guides voluntary movements

Question 19

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 19

(sympathetic and parasympathetic)
- Guides unconscious movements

Question 20

The endocrine system

Answer 20

The message system (this system is slow but sure):
1. Hormones travel through the bloodstream (not synapse)
2. Slower onset of signal
3. Longer distances in the body
4. Slower signal to turn off

Question 21

Adrenal glands

Answer 21

the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ nervous system responds to stress by sending a message to the adrenal glands to release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol

Question 22

Pituitary gland

Answer 22

the ‘master gland’ of the endocrine system
- Controlled by nearby brain area: the hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland produces hormones that regulate other gland such as the thyroid
- Also produces growth hormone and oxytocin (the ‘bonding’ hormone

Question 23

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer 23

 series of x-rays put together to create a 3D image of the brain
 allows viewing of : general structure and presence of fluid in the brain

Question 24

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 24

 magnet moves water molecules in the brain
 radio waves (resonances) encourage water molecules to create signals
 allows for ‘sliced’ images of the brain (bleeding and tumours)

Question 25

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 25

• Use of evoked potentials (EPs)
• Watching brain response to stimuli
• Measures through scalp skin conductance

Question 26

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 26

• Shows areas of the brain that are working during a task
• Follows the tracking of blood flow

Question 27

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 27

• Requires use of radioactive material injection
• Traces the path of materials through the brain
• Blood flow, oxygen, glucose metabolism, and drug uses

Question 28

Skin conductance (electrodermal activity)

Answer 28

 measure of the autonomic system (fight or flight response)
 measures the sweat in the skin