Physiological Psychology: Chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

time immediately after an action potential, when the sodium gates close and the membrane cannot produce an action potential in response to stimulation of any intensity

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2
Q

Action Potential

A

rapid depolarization and slight reversal of the usual polarization caused by stimulation beyond the threshold

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3
Q

Active Transport

A

protein-mediated process that expends energy to pump chemicals from the blood into the brain

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4
Q

Afferent Axon

A

neuron that brings information into a structure

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5
Q

All-or-None Law

A

principle stating that the size, amplitude, and velocity of the action potential are independent of the intensity of the stimulus that initiated it

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6
Q

Astrocyte

A

relatively large, star-shaped glia cell

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7
Q

Axon

A

single thin fiber of constant diameter that extends from a neuron

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8
Q

Axon Hillock

A

swelling of the soma, the point where the axon begins

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9
Q

Blood-Brain Barrier

A

mechanism that keeps many chemicals out of the brain

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10
Q

Cell Body

A

soma; structure of a cell that contains the nucleus

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11
Q

Concentration Gradient

A

difference in distribution of ions across a membrane

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12
Q

Dendritic Spine

A

short outgrowth along the dendrites

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13
Q

Depolarization

A

reduction in the level of polarization across a membrane

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14
Q

Efferent Axon

A

neuron that carries information away from a structure

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15
Q

Electrical Gradient

A

difference in positive and negative charges across a membrane

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16
Q

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A

network of thin tubes within a cell that transports newly synthesized proteins to other locations

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17
Q

Glia

A

type of cell in the nervous system that, in contrast to neurons, does not conduct impulses to other cells

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18
Q

Glucose

A

a simple sugar, the main fuel of vertebrate neurons

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19
Q

Graded Potential

A

membrane potential that varies in magnitude and does not follow the all-or-none law

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20
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

increased polarization across a membrane

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21
Q

Interneuron

A

neuron whose axons and dendrites are entirely contained within a given structure

22
Q

Intrinsic Neuron

A

neuron whose axons and dendrites are all confined within a given structure

23
Q

Local Anesthetic

A

drug that attaches to the sodium channels of the membrane, preventing sodium ions from entering and thereby blocking action potentials

24
Q

Local Neuron

A

small neuron with no axon or a very short one

25
Membrane
structure that separates the inside of a cell from the outside
26
Microglia
very small neurons that remove waste materials and microorganisms from the central nervous system
27
Mitochondrion
structure where the cell performs the metabolic activities that provide energy
28
Motor Neuron
neuron that receives excitation from other neurons and conducts impulses from its soma in the spinal cord to muscle or gland cells
29
Myelin
insulating material composed of fats and proteins
30
Myelin Sheath
insulating material that covers many vertebrate axons
31
Myelinated Axon
axon covered with a myelin sheath
32
Neuron
cell that receives information and transmits it to other cells by conducting electrochemical impulses
33
Node of Ranvier
short unmyelinated section of axon between segments of myelin
34
Nucleus
structure within a cell that contains the chromosomes; also a cluster of neuron cell bodies within the CNS
35
Oligodendrocytes
glia cells that surround and insulate certain axons in the vertebrate brain and spinal cord
36
Polarization
electrical gradient across a membrane
37
Presynaptic Terminal
tip of an axon, the point from which the axon releases chemicals
38
Propagation of the Action Potential
transmission of an action potential down an axon
39
Radial Glia
type of glia cells that guides the migration of neurons and the growth of their axons and dendrites during embryological development
40
Refractory Period
brief period following an action potential, when the cell resists the production of further action potentials
41
Relative Refractory Period
time after the absolute refractory period, when potassium gates remain open wider than usual, requiring a stronger than usual stimulus to initiate an action potential
42
Resting Potential
electrical potential across a membrane when a neuron is not being stimulated
43
Ribosome
site at which the cell synthesizes new protein molecules
44
Saltatory Conduction
jumping of action potentials from one node to another by the flow of positive ions
45
Schwann Cell
glia cell that surrounds and insulates certain axons in the periphery of the vertebrate body
46
Selective Permeability
ability of certain chemicals to pass more freely than others through a membrane
47
Sensory Neuron
neuron specialized to be highly sensitive to a specific type of stimulation
48
Sodium-Potassium Pump
mechanism that actively transports three sodium ions out of the cell while simultaneously drawing in two potassium ions
49
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
chemical necessary for the metabolism of glucose
50
Threshold of Excitation
level of depolarization at which a brief stimulation triggers a rapid, massive electrical change by the membrane
51
Voltage-Gated Channel
membrane channel whose permeability to sodium (or some other ion) depends on the voltage diff erence across the membrane