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MCAT: BIOLOGY AND HEALTH SCIENCES > The Nervous System and Endocrine System > Flashcards

The Nervous System and Endocrine System Flashcards

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1
Q

Specialized cells that transmit and process information from one area of the body to another.

A

NEURONS

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2
Q

Electrochemical signals that depolarize an axon to send an impulse through the neuron; It is also responsible for activating synapses and signaling neurotransmitters within each axon terminal.

A

ACTION POTENTIALS

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3
Q

A process in which neurotransmitters get released into the synaptic cleft and activate voltage-gated channels on the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle cell (we’ll discuss the neuromuscular junction later)

A

SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

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4
Q

A neutral cell body of a neuron that contains a nucleus and DNA

A

SOMA

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5
Q

Extends from the soma and act as signaling wires that communicate with other neurons or regions of the body. They carry impulses that are needed to relay information whether it be towards the CNS or away from the CNS.

A

DENDRITES AND AXONS

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6
Q

A specialized cell that possesses only one dendrite and one axon.

A

BIPOLAR NEURON

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7
Q

A specialized cell that possesses many dendrites and one axon.

A

MULTIPOLAR NEURON

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8
Q

Axons are able to branch into multiple smaller axons called

A

SYNAPTIC KNOBS/ AXON TERMINALS

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9
Q

Chemical synapses that are released from synaptic vesicles during a synaptic transmission. They travel across a small electrical gap known as the synapsis. In doing so, these are used for various reasons regarding the skeletal, smooth or cardiac muscles and play a vital role in regulating the nervous system.

A

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

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10
Q

An electrical potential that is found on the plasma membrane of a neuron and reads approximately -70 mV or millivolts. This is when no action potentials are being fired and when the neuron is not in use, yet, the cell is still active.

A

RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL (RMP)

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11
Q

What is the sodium-potassium pump cycle?

A

Na/K ATPase pumps 3 sodium ions out of the plasma membrane and 2 potassium ions into the plasma membrane.

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12
Q

Consistently-open channels that allow a certain amount of ions or molecules to diffuse across a plasma membrane.

A

LEAK CHANNELS

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13
Q

In this process, sodium channels open and an influx of sodium ions diffuse across the membrane, increasing the positivity from -55 to 35mV. This is when an action potential gets fired from the axon hillock and carries an impulses across the membrane.

A

DEPOLARIZATION

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14
Q

Activated when depolarization comes to an end. The sodium ion channels close and the potassium channels open, allowing an influx of potassium ions to diffuse directly into the axon. This occurs at approximately 35mV until it drops down to -70mV or, if possible, -90mV. It restores the axon back to resting potential.

A

REPOLARIZATION

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15
Q

-55mV is considered the-

A

THRESHOLD POTENTIAL

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16
Q

Potassium leak channels and Na/K ATPase pumps function as normal and bring the membrane back to resting potential if the membrane was repolarized to -90mV. This is called-

A

HYPERPOLARIZATION

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17
Q

Define Saltatory Conduction.

A

The action potential ‘jumping’ in between gaps of myelin sheaths called nodes of ranviers. This is when action potentials are faster than normal.

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18
Q

A thick layer of proteins that are laid down from glial cells within the PNS and CNS to increase speed of action potentials. They are wrapped around axon membranes like filament paper and release signals.

A

MYELIN SHEATHS

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19
Q

Only found in the PNS and secrete myelin around a neuron.

A

SCHWANN CELLS

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20
Q

Only found in the CNS and secrete myelin around an association neuron.

A

OLIGODENDROCYTES

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21
Q

Explain why sodium and potassium ions aren’t allowed to pass through the membrane when myelin sheaths are present?

A

Because myelin sheath is wrapped around the sodium and potassium receptors, thus, blocking them off. They are inactivated for now but allows the action potentials to increase in speed.

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22
Q

Specialized, non-neuronal cells that provide structural and metabolic support to many neurons.

A

GLIAL CELLS

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23
Q

Found in the CNS and guide the necessary production of newly-formed neurons

A

ASTROCYTES

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24
Q

Found in the CNS and act as garbage collectors

A

MICROGLIAL CELLS (Microglia)

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25
Q

Found in the CNS and produce as well as regulate cerebrospinal fluid

A

EPENDYMAL CELLS

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26
Q

Are Na/K ATPase active or passive transport? And why?

A

Active transport

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27
Q

Do Sodium/Potassium Ions require active or passive transport? Why?

A

Passive transport

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28
Q

The potential force (rmp, depolarization, repolarization, etc.) doesn’t exist. Please provide an example.

A

EQUILIBRIUM POTENTIAL

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29
Q

A neuron will not fire another action potential until the previous action potential has officially completed its course, no matter how strong the depolarization is. Sodium channels become inactivated, not CLOSED, until the resting membrane potential has been activated. This is called-

A

ABSOLUTE REFRACTORY PERIOD

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30
Q

A neuron has depolarization greater than normal due to a hyperpolarized membrane. This is called-

A

RELATIVE REFRACTORY PERIOD

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31
Q

An electrical junction between the axon terminals and the target cells. It is also between the axon terminals and neuronal cells.

A

SYNAPSE

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32
Q

Explain electrical synapses

A

Occurs when the cytoplasm of 2 cells are joined by gap junctions. From there, an action potential will migrate from one cell to another. Common amongst involuntary contractions.

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33
Q

Explain chemical synapses

A

Found directly at the ends of axons where they meet with their appropriate target cells. This is more or less common in skeletal muscle cells.

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34
Q

It is the most common point of attachment between the axon terminal and a skeletal muscle cell. Explain the entire process.

A

NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION

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35
Q

The enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine molecules from the receptors and recycling them back into the vesicles.

A

ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE

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36
Q

A neurotransmitter that depolarizes the postsynaptic membrane once it activates the receptors.

A

EXCITATORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS

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37
Q

A neurotransmitter that repolarizes or hyperpolarizes the postsynaptic membrane.

A

INHIBITORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS

38
Q

States that no matter what happens, the action potential will NOT fire if the threshold potential doesn’t reach -55mV.

A

ALL-OR-NONE LAW

39
Q

A postsynaptic membrane either decides to fire an action potential or not depending on how many synapses affect the neuron, whether it be excitatory or inhibitory.

A

SUMMATION

40
Q

Excitatory neurotransmitters that depolarize a target cell or neuron.

A

EPSPs (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials)

41
Q

Inhibitory neurotransmitters that hyperpolarize a target cell or neuron.

A

IPSPs (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials)

42
Q

A presynaptic neuron fires action potentials so darn fast that both EPSPs and IPSPs pile on top of one another. It just depends on whether or not EPSPs dominate IPSPs or vice versa.

A

TEMPORAL SUMMATION

43
Q

Both EPSPs and IPSPs pile on top of each other but cancels out. If both potentials reach the threshold value, then an action potential will fire on the other neuron or muscle cell.

A

SPATIAL SUMMATION

44
Q

Receiving information from the PNS to the CNS is known as

A

SENSORY

45
Q

Receiving information from the CNS to the PNS is known as

A

MOTOR

46
Q

Carries information from the brain, down the spinal cord, and into its desired target cell.

A

MOTOR NEURONS/EFFERENT NEURONS

47
Q

Any and all organs or muscles that retrieve information from a motor neuron.

A

EFFECTORS

48
Q

Carries info from the target cell to the brain.

A

SENSORY NEURONS/AFFERENT NEURONS

49
Q

A motor input response without any conscious thought-processing. It’s like when a doctor taps your knee with a rubber hammer to see if your hamstring will either relax or constrict.

A

REFLEX

50
Q

The sensory neuron communicates with a motor neuron on the spinal cord by sending a signal. But instead of that signal going straight to the brain, it dodges a bullet by having the motor neuron implement the signal and fire a response impulse to the muscle which causes the muscle to contract.

A

MUSCLE STRETCH REFLEX

51
Q

Define Monosynaptic Reflex Arc.

A

Same as Muscle Stretch Reflex but involves 2 neurons and 1 synapse.

52
Q

A short neuron that forms an inhibitory synapse with a motor neuron in which innervates the hamstring muscle.

A

INHIBITORY INTERNEURON

53
Q

What are the 2 major categories of the nervous system?

A

Central and Peripheral Nervous System

54
Q

Which consists of only the brain and spinal cord?

A

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

55
Q

Which is everything else that’s NOT the brain and spinal cord? Think of your arms and legs.

A

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

56
Q

The PNS is divided into 2 subcategories. Name them.

A

Somatic and Autonomic

57
Q

Typically controls the voluntary muscles so this would be your tendons, which are bone to muscle attachment.

A

SOMATIC

58
Q

Typically controls the involuntary muscles such as cardiac (heart) or smooth (digestive).

A

AUTONOMIC

59
Q

Now the efferent neurons of the autonomic division are further split into 2 subdivisions: name them.

A

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

60
Q

Considered the ‘fight or flight’ response or ‘stress’ related. This is where your heart rate increases while the GI tract constricts. Example: you see a ghost and that makes you run.

A

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

61
Q

Considered the ‘rest and digest’ response or ‘peaceful’ related. This is where your heart rate slows down while the GI tract activates more smoothly. Example: you eat popcorn while watching TV.

A

PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

62
Q

During a sympathetic response, the adrenal medulla secretes what into the bloodstream? The reason being is because this neurotransmitter can fly through each neuronal response during a ‘stress’ related moment, thus, giving you more energy to run or fight. However, this does affect the homeostatic level of your body at times.

A

EPINEPHRINE

63
Q

Myelinated axons in both the CNS and the PNS are called

A

WHITE MATTER

64
Q

Unmyelinated somas in both the CNS and the PNS are called

A

GREY MATTER

65
Q

What are the names of the white matter found in the brain, spinal cord, and periphery, respectfully?

A

Tract, tract or column, nerve

66
Q

What are the names of the grey matter found deep inside the brain, outside the brain, the spinal cord, and the periphery, respectfully?

A

Nucleus, cortex, horn, ganglion

67
Q

Name the three main divisions of the brain.

A

Prosencephalon (forebrain), mesencephalon (midbrain) and the rhombencephalon (hindbrain)

68
Q

Usually a clear fluid found in the brain and spinal cord until it collects nutrients and waste needed to be cleaned out by the microglia.

A

CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)

69
Q

What are the 3 parts of the rhombencephalon?

A

Medulla oblongata, pons varolii, cerebellum

70
Q

Sits directly below the pons and above the spinal cord. As a matter of fact, it is the only attachment of the brain to the spinal cord. It relays information and regulates vital functions that the body needs like digestion. You damage this, you’re headed to a coffin early.

A

MEDULLA OBLONGATA

71
Q

Sits directly above the medulla and below the midbrain. It is the connection point between the brainstem and cerebellum. It controls autonomic functions, antigravity posture and maintains balance. You damage this, you’re also headed to a coffin early.

A

PONS

72
Q

Sits behind the pons. It is a site where more complex information gets integrated and how a smooth execution takes place. I like to call this either the meeting room or the benchwarmer where if no other parts of the brain is able to understand the info, then this guy can. You damage this, you lose balance of hand posture as well as possible movement.

A

CEREBELLUM

73
Q

Located right above the pons and below the thalamus. It is the relay center for visual and auditory information of the reticular activating system (RAS).

A

MIDBRAIN

74
Q

The midbrain, pons and medulla make up what?

A

BRAINSTEM

75
Q

The prosencephalon divides into what?

A

Diencephalon and Telencephalon

76
Q

Diencephalon consists of what? Hint: 2 only.

A

Thalamus and Hypothalamus

77
Q

Sits above the midbrain and is responsible for relaying sensory information.

A

THALAMUS

78
Q

Sits next to the midbrain and is responsible for controlling emotions, activating glands to release hormones, and many autonomic functions.

A

HYPOTHALAMUS

79
Q

The telencephalon consists of what?

A

The entire cerebrum

80
Q

True or False? The spinal cord up to the telencephalon is symmetrical.

A

False! It is only up to the diencephalon.

81
Q

Left Hemisphere controls what?

A

Right side of body

82
Q

Right Hemisphere controls what?

A

Left side of body

83
Q

Both hemispheres intersect at a region known as? And both hemispheres are held by?

A

Corticospinal tract. Corpus callosum.

84
Q

Unmyelinated somas that run across the surface of the brain, primarily the sulci and gyrus.

A

CEREBRAL CORTEX

85
Q

Both hemispheres are responsible for-

A

Thought-processing and intellectual functions in coordination.

86
Q

Name the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortex.

A

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

87
Q

This lobe initiates all means of voluntary movement, cognitive-thinking, and problem-solving.

A

FRONTAL LOBES

88
Q

This lobe deals with sensations (taste, touch, pressure, temperature)

A

PARIETAL LOBES

89
Q

This lobe deals with short-term memory, language comprehension, auditory and olfactory sensation.

A

TEMPORAL LOBES

90
Q

This lobe deals with visual perception and sensation.

A

OCCIPITAL LOBES

MCAT: BIOLOGY AND HEALTH SCIENCES (8 decks)

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