Neurotransmitters, Neurons and Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

The cell body of the neuron contains

Answer 1

the nucleas and mitochondria

Question 2

The dendrites of a neuron are

Answer 2

branches on each neuron that receive information to trigger an action

Question 3

The axon hillock is where the

Answer 3

nerve impulse is triggered from

Question 4

The axon

Answer 4

transmits info to other cells

Question 5

The myelin sheath are

Answer 5

layers of fatty deposits that provide insulation and help speed up the rate of message transmission

Question 6

The axon terminal is the

Answer 6

end of the axon, seperated from the other neurons by a tiny gap

Question 7

Neurotransmitters are

Answer 7

chemical messengers that act between neurons that are triggered by a change in the electrical potential of neuron itself

Question 8

Action potential is

Answer 8

the actual method by which the nerve impulses pass down the axon of the neuron to stimulate the release if neurotransmitters

Question 9

Neurons have a resting potential of

Answer 9

-70mV

Question 10

When a neuron receives a message, this chemical message can either

Answer 10

stimulate an exitatory post synaptic potential or hyper polarise the neuron

Question 11

An exitatory post synaptic potential is

Answer 11

when the neuron’s charge us depolarised and reduced

Question 12

Hyper-polarising the neuron

Answer 12

increases its charge and stimulates inhibitory post synaptic potential

Question 13

For action potential to be triggered, more

Answer 13

exitatory messages than inhibitory messages must be received

Question 14

Action potential is usually triggered at

Answer 14

-55mV

Question 15

The neuron that is sending the message is the pre synaptic neuron while the one receiving it is the

Answer 15

post synaptic neuron

Question 16

In synaptic transmission, the cell’s action potential starts as small electrical impulses generated at the axon hillock, but once the message

Answer 16

reaches the terminal button it turns into a chemical message

Question 17

When the impulse reaches the axon terminal during synaptic transmission, the neuron

Answer 17

can pass its chemical message to further neurons across the synaptic gap/cleft.

Question 18

What are receptors on the post synaptic neuron designed to do?

Answer 18

bind to a specific neurotransmitter and absorb it

Question 19

What happens to neurotransmitters that have not been absorbed?

Answer 19

They will be destroyed by enzymes in the synaptic gap/cleft or they will be absorbed again by the presynaptic neuron in a process called reuptake

Question 20

Reuptake is

Answer 20

the process by which unused neurotransmitter molecules are absorbed back into the presynaptic neuron and then be destroyed by enzymes

Question 21

What is the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine?

Answer 21

stimulates muscle contractions and is involved in motor control and movement, also necessary for cognitive functions such as attention as well as emotions such as anger and sexuality

Question 22

What is the function of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline?

Answer 22

it is associated with emotion, attention, energy and alertness, particularly in mood control as well as sleeping and dreaming as well as learning

Question 23

What is the function of the neurotransmitter dopamine?

Answer 23

Similar to noradrenaline, related to emotion and cognitive functions as well as posture and control of movement, associated with reinforcement in learning and hormonal regulation e.g pleasure

Question 24

What is the function of the neurotransmitter serotonin?

Answer 24

mostly used for mood control, in the limbic system in the brain, involved in feeling pain, sleep, regulating body temp and hunger