Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Action Potential
An electrical charge that travels along the axon to the neuron’s terminal, where it triggers the release of a neurotransmitter. This occurs when a neuron is activated and temporarily reverses the electrical state of its interior membrane from negative to positive
Acetylcholine
A critical neurotransmitter that controls functions such as memory, attention, sleep, heart rate, and muscular activity.
Adenosine
A neurochemical that inhibits wakefulness, serving the purpose of slowing down cellular activity and diminishing arousal. Adenosine levels decrease during sleep.
Adrenal Cortex
An endocrine organ that secretes steroid hormones for metabolic functions; for example, in response to stress.
Adrenal Medulla
An endocrine organ that secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine in concert with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system; for example, in response
Agonist
1.) A neurotransmitter, drug, or other molecule that stimulates receptors to produce a desired reaction. 2.) A muscle that moves a joint in an intended direction
Alzheimer’s Disease
A major cause of dementia in the elderly, this neurodegenerative disorder is characterized by the death
of neurons in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and other
brain regions. The earliest symptoms of the disease include forgetfulness; disorientation as to time or place; and difficulty with concentration, calculation, language, and judgment. In the final stages, individuals are incapable of self-care and may be bedridden.
Amino Acid Transmitters
The most prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain, these include glutamate and aspartate, which
have excitatory actions on nerve cells, and glycine and gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA), which have inhibitory actions on nerve cells.
Amygdala
A structure in the forebrain that is an important component of the limbic system and plays a central role in emotional learning, particularly within the context of fear.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS causes motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord to disintegrate, resulting in loss of control of voluntary muscle movements such as walking.
Androgens
Sex steroid hormones, including testosterone, found in higher levels in males than females. They are responsible for male sexual maturation.
Androgen
1.) A drug or other molecule that blocks receptors. Antagonists inhibit the effects of agonists. 2.) A muscle that moves a joint in opposition to an intended direction
Aphasia
Disturbance in language comprehension or production, often as a result of a stroke
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death induced by specialized biochemical pathways, often serving a specific purpose in the development of an animal
Auditory Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers extending from the cochlea of the ear to the brain that contains two branches: the cochlear nerve, which transmits sound information, and the vestibular nerve, which relays information related to balance
Autonomic Nervous System
A part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for regulating the activity of internal organs. It includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A condition characterized by excessively inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive behaviors.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
A condition characterized
by impaired social skills; verbal and nonverbal communication difficulties; and narrow, obsessive interests or repetitive behaviours
Axon
The fiberlike extension of a neuron by which it sends information to target cells.
Basal Ganglia
Structures located deep in the brain that play an important role in the initiation of movements. These clusters of neurons include the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra. Cell death in the substantia nigra contributes to Parkinson’s disease.
Bipolar Disorder
Previously known as manic-depressive illness, this disorder is characterized by episodes of deep depression and manic highs. The depressive episodes are similar to those experienced
by people with depression. Symptoms of mania include increased energy, decreased need for sleep, a marked interest in goal-directed activities, and poor judgment.
Brainstem
The major route by which the forebrain sends information to and receives information from the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The brainstem controls, among other things, respiration and the regulation of heart rhythms
Brocha’s Area
The brain region located in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere that is important for the production of speech.
Catecholamine
The neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, which are active in both the brain and the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. These three molecules have certain structural similarities and are part of a larger class of neurotransmitters known as monoamines.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the human brain associated with higher order functioning, such as thinking, perceiving, planning, and understanding language, as well as the control of voluntary behavior.
Cerebellum
A large structure located at the roof of in the hindbrain that helps control the coordination of movement by making connections to the pons, medulla, spinal cord, and thalamus. It also may be involved in aspects of motor learning
Cerebral Cortex
A sheet of tissue covering the outermost layer of the cerebrum.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
A liquid found within the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord
Circadian Rhythm
A cycle of behavior or physiological change lasting approximately 24 hours
Cochlea
A snail-shaped, fluid-filled organ of the inner ear responsible for converting sound into electrical potentials to produce an auditory sensation
Cognition
The process or processes by which an organism gains knowledge or becomes aware of events or objects in its environment and uses that knowledge for comprehension and problem-solving.
Cone
A primary receptor cell for vision located in the retina. It is sensitive to color and is used primarily for daytime vision.
Corpus Callosum
The large bundle of nerve fibers linking the left and right cerebral hemispheres
