Structure and function of neurons - biopsychology Flashcards
What is a neuron
Specialised cells that transmit chemical/ electrical signals to facilitate communication between the brain and body
How many neurons does a human have
Around 100 billion, each up to 10k connections
What are the three types of neuron
Sensory, relay, motor
What is a sensory neuron
Nerve cell activated by sensory input from environment corresponding to all 5 senses
Summarise what a sensory neuron is
Info from body to brain
What is a relay (interneuron) neuron
Ones in between, connect spinal motor and sensory neurons, and communicate to form circuits
What response are relay neurons capable of initiating
Startale response
What is the startale response
Can initiate limited movement decisions when in danger
What are motor neurons
Part of spinal cord and CNS. Connect to muscles, glands and organs. Transmit from spinal cord to skeletal/smooth muscles and control all muscle movements. 2 TYPES
What are the 2 types of motor neurons
Lower: spinal cord to muscle
Upper: brain to spinal cord
What is synaptic transmission
Process by which messages are sent from one neuron to another. Lasts about 0.1 secs and explains behaviour
What is action potential
Electrical impulse that contains the commands from the brain
What is the first stage of synaptic transmission
Soma fires action potential down axon towards pre synaptic membrane
What is the second stage of synaptic transmission
Electrical impulse is converted to a chemical impulse (neurotransmitter) in preparation to move across synapse
What is the third stage of synaptic transmission
Vesicles that contain chemical neurotransmitter moves towards membrane wall
What is the fourth stage of synaptic transmission
Vesicles then fuse into the wall, allowing the neurotransmitter to be fired across synapse to post synaptic neuron
What is the fifth stage of synaptic transmission
Chemical neurotransmitter binds to an appropriate receptor on surface of post synaptic neuron. Through lock and key process, neurotransmitter will project the message it carries
What is the sixth stage of synaptic transmission
Not all neurotransmitters find receptors. Any that remain in synapse will be reuptaken by pre synaptic membrane
What is the seventh stage of synaptic transmission
Neurotransmitter that didn’t make it across synapse will elicit either an excitatory or inhibitory response
What is the eighth stage of synaptic transmission
Excitatory (EPSP) response will increase chances of neuron be firing, whist inhibitory (IPSP) will decrease the chances
