Week 3: Neuroscience Flashcards
What is the smallest building blocks?
neurons
3 types of neurons
- Sensory
- Motor
- Interneurons
3 parts of a neuron
dendrite, cell body, and axon
A gap between 2 neurons is called what?
a synapse
What are the jobs of the 3 parts of the neurons?
dendrites: receives info from other neurons
cell body: processes info
axon: sends info to other neurons
What is the first step of neural communication?
A message opens the gates and ions w/ positive charges enter
“firing” is what?
when the positive charges fire through the axon
What do terminal buttons release?
neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters crosses synapses into what?
a second neuron
Neurotransmitters decides if it fires or not how fast?
milliseconds
What carries excitatory or inhibitory messages?
neurotransmitters
Neurons combine and calculate messages for an outcome where?
the cell body
What are the 3 ways extra neurotransmitters are disposed of? what do they do?
- Auto receptors- detects when enough neurotransmitters are released
- Reuptake- neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by presynaptic terminal buttons
- Enzyme deactivation- enzymes destroy excess neurotransmitters
Communication in neurons is what, while communications between neurons are what?
electrical; chemical
True or False: The brain uses an electrochemical system.
True
Electrical systems are good at what, while chemical systems are good at what?
transmitting simple info quickly; disseminating complex info
What are the 2 main branches of the peripheral nervous system?
autonomic and somatic
The autonomic system has what 2 divisions?
sympathetic and parasympathetic
Which system regulates organs and glands involuntarily?
autonomic
What system activates the body for action while what system prepares the body for rest?
sympathetic; parasympathetic
The somatic system does what?
Transmits sensory info from organ to brain and motor commands from brain to muscles
What are the different types of neurons?
1.Mechanoreceptors- feels pressure on skin
2. Proprioceptors- position of body/muscles
3. Thermoreceptors- external temperature
4. Nociceptors- senses pain
What system is the body’s hormone system?
endocrine system
The pituitary gland is in what system?
endocrine system