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Intro to Neuroscience > Psychology 3: The Chemical Mind > Flashcards

Psychology 3: The Chemical Mind Flashcards

1
Q

What are the building blocks of our nervous system?

A

Neurons or Nerve Cells are the building blocks that make up our nervous system

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2
Q

How many types of neurons can you name?

A

There are several types of neurons in our bodies. Bipolar (interneuron), Unipolar(sesnory neuron), Multipolar(motor neuron), Pyramid Cell

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3
Q

What are the three basic parts of a neuron?

A

The three basic parts of a neuron are the soma (cell body), axon and dendrites

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4
Q

What are the basic properties of the soma (cell body)?

A

Soma (Cell Body)

The neurons life support containing the nucleus, DNA, mitochondria, ribosomes and such

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5
Q

What are the basic properties of the dendrites?

A

Dendrites

Bushy, Branch like

Receive messages from other cells

The Listeners

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6
Q

What are the basic properties of the axon?

A

The Axon

The Talker

Transmits electrical signals out to other neurons or glands or muscles

Sometimes covered in myelin sheath

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7
Q

What is the Myelin Sheath?

A

The myelin sheath is a plasma membrane wrapped around the axons of neurons that assist in the transmission of action potentials

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8
Q

What is multiple sclerosis?

A

Multiple Sclerosis -

A chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord

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9
Q

When do neurons transmit signals?

A

Neurons transmot signals when stimulated by sensory input or triggered by neighbouring neurons

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10
Q

Explain in short the process of a neuron passing a signal

A

Dendrites pick up the signal and activate the neurons action potential which shoots an electrical impulse (neural impulse) towards terminal branches of axon and out to neighbouring neurons

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11
Q

What are the contact points between neurons called?

A

Contact points between neurons are called synapses. Dendrites are decorated with synapse that almost touch other neurons, however neurons do not quite touch one another. The microscopic cleft is called the synaptic gap

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12
Q

Where does an axon potential run?

A

Action potential runs down the axon reaching the axon terminal activating the chemical messenger that jump the synaptic gap. these chemical messengers are call neurotransmitters.

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13
Q

What is reuptake?

A

Neurotransmitters are briefly bonded to post-synaptic terminals then released and reabsorbed by presynatpic neuron in a process called reuptake

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14
Q

What are Endorphins?

A

Endorphins are natural, opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

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15
Q

How many types of neurons are there?

A

There are over 100 different kinds of naturally occurring neurotransmitters reminding us that everything psychological we do is also biological

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16
Q

What do excitatory neurotransmitters do?

A

Excitatory neurotransmitters rev up neurons increasing chances of the neuron firing off an action potential

17
Q

Name two common excitatory neurotransmitters

A

Norepinephrine - helps control alertness and arousal

Glutamate - involved in memory, over supply can cause seizures and migranes. This is why some people are sensitive to MSG or Monosodium Glutamate in their Noodles

18
Q

What do inhibitory neurotransmitters do?

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitters chill neurons out decreasing their chance of firing an action potential

19
Q

Name two common inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

GABA (Gamma-AminoButyric Acid) - a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Serotonin - effects mood, hunger and sleep

20
Q

What does Acetylcholine (ACh) contribute to?

A

Enables muscles action, learning and memory

21
Q

What does Dopamine contribute to?

A

Influences movement, learning, attention and emotion

22
Q

What do Acetylcholine and Dopamine have in common?

A

They play both sides and can both excite or inhibit neurons depending on what type of receptors they encounter

23
Q

What is Alzheimers?

A

Progressive neurological deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalised degeneration of the brain

24
Q

What have excessive amounts of dopamine been linked to?

A

Excessive amounts of dopamine have been linked to Schizophrenia - a long term psychiatric disorder of a type involving breakdown in the relation between, thought, emotion and behaviour

25
Q

What is the endocrine system?

A

The endocrine system is the body’s “ slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

26
Q

What do hormones act upon?

A

Like neurotransmitters hormones act on the brain

27
Q

What are hormones?

A

hormones are chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues. Some hormones are chemically identical to some neurotransmitters.

28
Q

What do hormones affect?

A

Hormones affect moods, arousel, cercadium rhythm, moderate our immune system, affect metabolism, signal growth and help with sexual reproduction.

Hormones affect attraction, appetite and aggression

29
Q

What glands does the endocrine system consist of?

A

adrenal glands, pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid, testes, ovaries and the all powerful pituitary gland

30
Q

Describe Adrenal Glands

A

Snuggled up against the kidney

Inner part helps trigger fight or flight response

Releases Adrenaline

31
Q

Describe the pancreas

A

Right next adrenal gland

regulates level of sugar in the bloodstream

Oozes insolin and glucagon

32
Q

Describe Thyroid and parathyroid glands

A

Thyroid

Base of throat

Affect Metabolism

Parathyroid

Base of throat

Helps regulate level of calcium in blood

33
Q

Describe Pituitary gland

A

One gland rules them all and in the darkness binds them!

Secretes many different hormones some of which affect other glands

Pea sized nugget in brain

Releases vital growth hormone a hormone which stimulates growth in animal or plant cells

Releases the love hormone oxytocin which promotes warm fuzzy feelings

34
Q

What system is a feedback loop?

A

The nervous system directs your endocrine system which direct your nervous system

Brain-gland-hormone-brain

35
Q

Which brain region controls the pituitary gland?

A

The Hypothalamus

36
Q
A

Intro to Neuroscience (6 decks)

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