Unit 3 (Module 9) Flashcards
What concept drives the idea that various brain regions have particular functions?
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localization of function
A system that is composed of subsystems that in turn are composed of even smaller subsystems defines what term?
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biopsychological systems
Yes or No:
Could you distinguish between small samples of brain tissue which is human and which is monkey?
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No
Systems operate very similarly.
Fill in the blank for the following:
Similarity (between animals & humans) allows researchers to ____________ relatively simple animals to understand neural systems.
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study
Our body’s neural information system is made up of what building blocks?
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neurons (nerve cells)
True or False:
Throughout life, new neurons are born and unused neurons wither away.
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True
What part of the neuron contains the nucleus (the cell’s life-support center)?
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[the] cell body
What part of the neuron is made up of branching fibers that receive and integrate information towards the cell body?
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dendrites
What defines the following?:
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands?
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axon
The layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons and speed up their impulses is called a what?
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myelin sheath
What condition occurs when the myelin sheath degenerates?
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multiple sclerosis
What cells are in the nervous system that provide nutrients, insulation for myelin, guidance for neural connections and mop up ions and neurotransmitters (along with play a role in learning thinking and memory)?
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glial cells (glia)
What word labels the following?:
A neural impulse that travels at speeds ranging from a sluggish 2mph to more than 200mph
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action potential
Like batteries, neurons generate electricity from chemical events. During the neuron’s chemistry-to-electricity process, what are exchanged?
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Ions
Fill in the blank:
The fluid outside an axon’s membrane has mostly positively charged ____________ ions.
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sodium
Fill in the blank:
A resting axon’s fluid interior has mostly a ____________ charge.
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negative
During an axon’s resting phase the fluid interior is made up of mostly large negative charged protein ions and smaller, positively charged what?
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potassium ions
The axon’s surface is compared to a tightly guarded facility. We say in scientific terms the axon’s surface is what?
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selectively permable
Fill in the blank for the following:
A positive outside and negative inside state in a neuron is called the ____________.
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resting potential
When a neuron fires, the security measures change, the first section in the axon opens its gates and what floods to the inside?
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sodium ions
The loss of the inside/outside charge difference that causes the next section of axon channels to open (like dominoes) allowing potassium ions to flow out is called a what?
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depolarization
Fill in the blank for the following:
Most neural signals are ____________, somewhat like pushing a neuron’s gas pedal while some are ____________, more like the neuron’s pushing its brake. (2)
(2) = 2 answers/parts
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- Excitatory
- Inhibitory
What can be defined as the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impluse?
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threshold
When the excitatory signals exceed the inhibitory signals by a minimun intensity (threshold), the combined signals trigger a what?
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[an] action potential
Neurons need very tiny breaks after firing, the resting pause is called a what?
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refractory period
True or False:
Increasing the level stimulation above the threshold will increase the neural impluse’s intensity.
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False
all-or-none response
A neurons reaction of either firing (with a full strength response) or not firing is called the?
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all-or-none response
they either fire or don’t
A strong stimulus can trigger more neurons to fire and fire more often, but does not affect what two things? (2)
(2) = 2 answers/parts
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- action potential
- speed
Fill in the blank for the following:
When triggering an action potential, the neuron stimulation causes the electrical charge to go above the ____________ mv threshold.
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-55
What is the axon membrane’s electrical charge in milivolts during resting potential? (1)
(1) = 1 answer/part
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-70 milivolts [mv]
The meeting point between neurons is called a what?
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Synapse
What is the gap between the terminal of one neuron from the receiving neuron called?
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synaptic gap (synoptic cleft)
When an action potential reaches the terminal (an axon’s end), it triggers the release of what?
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neurotransmitters (chemical messengers)
Neurotransmitters can either be broken down and drift away or become reabsorbed by the sending neuron through a process called?
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reuptake
What is the most understood neurotransmitter that is also the messenger at every junction between motor neurons and sketal muscles?
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acetylcholine (ACH)
What neurotransmitter molecule is similar to morphine (opiates) and is linked to pleasure and pain control?
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endorphins
Drugs and other chemicals affect brain chemistry, often by either exciting or inhibiting neurons’ firing.
What kind of molecules increase a neurotransmitter’s action (such as increase or release the production of neurotransmitters or block reuptake)?
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agonist
What molecule decreases a neurotransmitter’s action by blocking production or release?
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antagonist
