synapses and neurotransmitters Flashcards
what is the basic functional unit of the nervous system
neuron
How do incoming signals enter a neuron
through synapses located mostly on neuronal dendrites
How do neurons send signals
through the synapses on the end of axons
sensory receptors
aka affecter neurons
info comes in from skin/eyes/ears/nose/tongue (5 senses) as well as pain! and is sent to the CNS
what happens when afferent neurons (sensory receptors) receive input?
it causes depolarization and causes the Na channels to open
What happens when a motor receptor receives input
it sends impulses to an effector organ and causes contraction of smooth or skeletal muscles. also causes secretion of certain chemicals from glands (such as acetyl coa)
what is controlled by the ANS
smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands
Integration
Stimuli that are received by sensory structures are communicated to the nervous system where that information is processed
what causes neurotransmitters to be secreted
chemical synapses
what causes the generation of an electrical signal
excitatory post synaptic potentials
(an action potential that excites)
What causes the prevents generation of an electrical signal
inhibitory post synaptic potentials
(an action potential that inhibits)
when is the neuron excited enough to open sodium channels
when the axon hellic is depolarized to at least -55 or higher.
what keeps you from feeling your jewelry around your neck all day and other sense such as this one
inhibitory post synaptic potentials
What is the purpose of inhibitory neurons
to decrease sensory input for allowed increase of focus.
how are signals transported from one neuron to another
draw this out or explain it
how do inhibitory synapses work
neurotransmitters are released from presynaptic membrane and bind to receptor proteins on postsynaptic cleft and triggers potassium ion channels to open (causing the inside of the cell to become more negative)