THE NEURONS Flashcards

1
Q

number of neurons in the human brain

A

100 billion neurons

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2
Q

Carry information to the cell body from other neurons

A

dendrites

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3
Q

Contains nucleus

A

cell body (Soma)

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4
Q

Carries information to the next cell

A

axon

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5
Q

Insulates the axon and speeds up the neural impulse

A

myelin sheath

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6
Q

Tiny gap between neurons

A

synaptic space (synaptic cleft)

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7
Q

Enlarged area at the end of an axon

A

terminal button

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8
Q

Composed of the terminal button of one neuron, the synaptic space, and the dendrites or cell body of the receiving neuron

A

the synapse

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9
Q

Sacs in terminal button that release chemicals into synaptic space

A

synaptic vesicles

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10
Q

Chemicals released by synaptic vesicles

A

neurotransmitters

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11
Q

Location on receptor neuron for specific neurotransmitter

A

receptor sites

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12
Q

the microscopic gap that serves as a communications link between neurons

A

synapse

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13
Q

Carry information from sensory systems to the brain; Also referred to as afferent

A

sensory neurons

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14
Q

Carry information from the brain to muscles and glands; also referred to as efferent

A

motor neurons

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15
Q

Carry information between other neurons

A

interneurons

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16
Q

carry messages from the receptors to the CNS

A

sensory neurons

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17
Q

carry messages from the CNS to muscles and glands

A

motor neurons

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18
Q

are located in the CNS and are the link between sensory and motor neurons

A

interneurons

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19
Q
  • Cells that insulate and support neurons
  • Create the myelin sheath
  • Remove waste products
  • Provide nourishment
  • Prevent harmful substances from entering the brain
A

glial cells

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20
Q

Nothing is happening. The gates are closed and the positive ions are on the outside with the negative ions on the side of the cell.

A

resting potential

21
Q

a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

A

Action potential (neural impulse)

22
Q

when the inside of the neuron is negatively charged relative to the outside (resting potential)

A

polarization

23
Q

when the electrical charge of a cell moves toward zero

A

depolarization

24
Q

the time it takes for the positive ions to be pumped out

A

refractory period

25
Q

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

A

threshold

26
Q

A shift in the electrical charge in a tiny area of a neuron

A

graded potentials

27
Q

Many subthreshold depolarizations are added together to produce an action potential

A

summation

28
Q
  • A neuron either fires or it does not
  • When it does fire, it will always produce an impulse of the same strength
  • Intensity of a stimulus is seen by the frequency of action potentials
A

all or none law

29
Q

A junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

A

synapse

30
Q

This tiny gap is called the

A

synaptic gap or cleft

31
Q

Chemicals released from the sending neuron travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing it to generate an action potential.

A

neurotransmitters

32
Q

Neurotransmitters in the synapse are reabsorbed into the sending neurons through the process of ____. This process applies the brakes on neurotransmitter action.

A

reuptake

33
Q

Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the receiving neuron in a key-lock mechanism.

A

lock and key mechanism

34
Q

mimicking or impersonating naturally occurring neurotransmitters, like a hairpin picking a lock, a___ are able to unlock a cell to produce an effect

A

agonist

35
Q

working in the opposite way, they block the receptor, like jamming glue into a keyhole so that it may be not opened

A

antagonists

36
Q
  • Released at the neuromuscular junction

* Plays an important role in arousal and attention

A

acetylcholine

37
Q
  • Affects neurons associated with voluntary movement and pleasure
  • Play a role in learning, memory, and emotions
  • Implicated in Parkinson’s Disease and Schizophrenia
A

Dopamine

38
Q
  • Found throughout the brain
  • Appears to sets an “emotional tone”
  • Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
  • Low serotonin level are implicated in depression
  • Some antidepressant drugs raise serotonin
A

serotonin

39
Q
  • Reduce pain by inhibiting or “turning down” neurons that transmit pain information
  • “runner’s high”
A

endorphins

40
Q
  • Helps control alertness and arousal

* Undersupply can depress mood

A

norepinephrine

41
Q
  • A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

* Oversupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

A

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

42
Q

Most psychoactive drugs (and toxins) work by blocking or enhancing synaptic transmission

A

psychopharmacology

43
Q
  • Blocks release of ACh at the neuromuscular junction, causing paralysis
  • “Botox” is a botulism toxin used to prevent facial muscles from making wrinkles
A

botulism

44
Q
  • Can stun or kill prey quickly

* Block ACh receptors causing paralysis

A

curare

45
Q
  • Block dopamine receptors

* Reduces schizophrenic hallucinations

A

antipsychotic medications

46
Q

Increases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine

A

caffeine

47
Q
  • Prevents the reabsorption of dopamine

* Leads to heightened arousal of entire nervous system

A

cocaine

48
Q
  • The brain can be changed, both structurally and chemically, by experience
  • Rat studies show that an “enriched” environment leads to larger neurons with more connections
  • Has also been shown in humans
  • Recent research has uncovered evidence of neurogenesis, or the production of new brain cells, in human brains
A

Neural plasticity