Neuroscience Flashcards
Neuron
The building blocks of the nervous system.
Sensory neuron
Carry sensory impulses from the senses to the central nervous system
Motor neuron
Carry motor impulses from central nervous system to specific effectors
Intreneuron
Connects spinal motor and sensory information
Glial cells
Maintains the central nervous system. Supposes, connects and protects neurons.
Excitatory and inhibitory signal
Excitatory- Reaches a minimum intensity (threshold) and sends an electric impulse (action potential) down the length of the neuron. This reaction is all or nothing.
Inhibitory- Opposite of excitatory, stops signals/reactions
Refractory periods
A neuron can’t fire continuously, so they take short breaks called refractory periods only fractions of a second long.
Synapses
Gaps between neurons that impulses are sent across.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that bridge the gaps between neurons (synapses).
Agnoist
Drug/chemical that increases the effect of a neurotransmitter. Opiates, LSD, etc.
Antagonist
Drug/chemical that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter. Allergy medicine, botox, curare, antihistamines, etc.
Reuptake
After a signal is transmitted, the neurotransmitter is taken back in/reabsorbed. Ex. To increase serotonin for depressed people, an antagonist can block the reuptake of serotonin so it continues to be produced.
Autoimmune
Your immune system attacks your own body instead of viruses.
Myasthenia Gravis
Neurological autoimmune disorder. Fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue due to impaired neuromuscular transmission.
Multiple sclerosis
Neurological autoimmune disorder. Affects mainly the central nervous system by demyelination, meaning the body’s immune system attacks the protective nerve coating.
