Vocab Quiz 4

Question 1

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 1

bare patches along myelinated axon

Question 2

Saltatory conduction

Answer 2

action potentials jump from node to node

Question 3

Amino Acid Neurotransmitters

Answer 3

The most prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain, these include glutamate and aspartate, which can increase the electrochemical activity of neurons, as well as glycine and gamma-amino-butyric-acid (GABA) which inhibit electrochemical activity (Note any of these may be used in this item as one vocabulary term, i.e. name a neurotransmitter that increases electrochemical activity?

Question 4

Exocytosis

Answer 4

the process of neurotransmitter release

Question 5

Ligand

Answer 5

Any molecule that binds a receptor

Question 6

Amygdala

Answer 6

part of the brain’s limbic system, this primitive brain structure lies deep in the center of the brain and is involved in emotional reactions, such as anger and fear, as well as emotionally charged memories. It also influences behavior such as feeding, sexual interest, and the immediate “fight or flight” stress reaction that helps ensure the person’s needs are met.

Question 7

Metaobtropic Receptors

Answer 7

have internal G-proteins (guanine-triphosphate-sensitive proteins)

Question 8

Reuptake

Answer 8

drawing back the neurotransmitter into the presynaptic terminal

Question 9

Enzymatic Degradation

Answer 9

chemical breakdown of neurotransmitter

Question 10

Enzymes

Answer 10

proteins that stimulate or inhibit biochemical reactions

Question 11

Acetylcholinesterase

Answer 11

enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine

Question 12

Amyloid-beta protein

Answer 12

A naturally occurring protein in brain cells. Large abnormal clumps of this protein form the amyloid plaques that are a physiological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Smaller groupings of this seem more toxic to brain cells and are thought by many researchers to play an important role in the Alzheimer’s disease process.

Question 13

Stere Totaxic Surgery

Answer 13

experimental devices (e.g., electrodes) are positioned in exact brain loci

Question 14

Auditory cortex

Answer 14

Part of the brain’s temporal lobe, this region is responsible for hearing. Nerve fibers extending from the inner ear carry nerve impulses generated by sounds into the auditory cortex for interpretation.

Question 15

Electrolytic Lesion

Answer 15

Damage made by heat created by passing electrical current

Question 16

Aspiration Legion

Answer 16

damage made by suction removal of brain region

Question 17

Stimulation Methods

Answer 17

passing tiny electrical currents to brain areas; will sometimes activate brain areas

Question 18

Agonists

Answer 18

drugs that increase a neurotransmitter’s effects

Question 19

Antagonists

Answer 19

drugs that reduce a neurotransmitter’s effects

Question 20

Neurotoxins

Answer 20

poisons specific for neurons, as opposed to fibers, or for certain types of neurons

Question 21

Contrast X-ray Techniques

Answer 21

injecting one part of the body that absorbs X-rays