Neuroscience & Biological Foundations Flashcards
Neuroscience
Interdisciplinary field studying how biological processes relate to behavioral and mental processes
Neuron
Interdisciplinary field studying how biological processes relate to behavioral and mental processes
Glial Cells
Cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other support for the neurons, as well as communication within the nervous system; also called glia or neuroglia
How many neurons are in the human body?
Each human body has as many as 100 billion neurons
What role do glial cells provide in neuron support?
These neurons are held in place and supported by glial cells, which make up about 90 percent of the brain’s cells. Glial cells surround neurons, perform cleanup tasks, and insulate one neuron from another so that their neural messages are not scrambled. Research also shows that glial cells play a direct role in nervous system communication
Dendrites
Branching neuron structures that receive neural impulses from other neurons and convey impulses toward the cell body
Cell Body
Part of the neuron containing the cell nucleus, as well as other structures that help the neuron carry out its functions; also known as the soma
Axon
The long, tube-like structure that conveys impulses away from the neuron’s cell body toward other neurons or to muscles or glands
Myelin Sheath
The layer of fatty insulation wrapped around
the axon of some neurons, which increases
the rate at which nerve impulses travel along the axon
Terminal Button
Terminal buttons of axons form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters.
A motor neuron’s structure is divided into three key parts:
Dendrite → Cell Body → Axon (D, C, B, A)
List of Neurotransmitters:
Serotonin Acetylcholine (ACh) Dopamine (DA) Norepinephrine (NE) (or noradrenaline) Epinephrine (or adrenaline) GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) Endorphins
Serotonin
Mood, sleep, appetite, sensory perception, arousal, temperature regulation, pain suppression, and impulsivity (Chapters 2, 10, 12, 16). Low levels are associated with depression.
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Muscle action, learning, memory, REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep, emotion (Chapters 2, 3, 7). Decreased ACh plays a suspected role in Alzheimer’s disease.
Dopamine (DA)
Movement, attention, memory, learning, and emotion
(Chapters 2, 3, 14). Excess DA is associated with schizophrenia, too little with Parkinson’s disease. Also plays a role in addiction and the reward system.
Norepinephrine (NE) (or noradrenaline)
Learning, memory, dreaming, emotion, waking from
sleep, eating, alertness, wakefulness, reactions to stress
Chapters 2, 3, 14). Low levels of NE are associated with depression, high levels with agitated, manic states.
Epinephrine (or adrenaline)
Emotional arousal, memory storage, and metabolism of
glucose necessary for energy release (Chapters 2, 3,7).
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Neural inhibition in the central nervous system (Chapters 2, 10, 15, 16). Tranquilizing drugs, like Valium, increase GABA’s inhibitory effects and thereby decrease anxiety.
Endorphins
Mood, pain, memory, learning, blood pressure, appetite, and sexual activity (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5).
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released by neurons that travel across the synaptic gap
Synapse
The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. During an action potential, chemicals called neurotransmitters are released and flow across the synaptic gap
Define Endorphins
Chemical substances in the nervous system
that are similar in structure and action to opiates; involved in pain control, pleasure, and memory
Endocrine System
Collection of glands located throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones into the bloodstream
