Lesson 2: Neural Control Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the role of acetylcholine (ACh)?

A hormone

A muscle protein

A neurotransmitter (correct)

A type of enzyme

What is an action potential?

A short-lasting electrical event in which the membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises above the threshold of excitation, then falls.

What does the adrenal cortex produce?

Steroid hormones including cortisol, aldosterone, and androgen.

What is the function of the adrenal gland?

Produces a variety of hormones including epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, aldosterone, and androgen. Signup and view all the answers

What is produced by the adrenal medulla?

Catecholamines, specifically epinephrine and norepinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

What is adrenaline also known as?

Epinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'adrenergic' refer to?

The effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Signup and view all the answers

What is an afferent neuron?

A sensory neuron. Signup and view all the answers

What does the all-or-none principle state?

If the stimulus reaches the threshold of excitation, an action potential will be propagated, otherwise there will be no response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an alpha motor neuron?

A somatic motor neuron that innervates skeletal muscle. Signup and view all the answers

What is an alpha receptor?

An adrenergic receptor that binds with epinephrine and norepinephrine to cause vasoconstriction. Signup and view all the answers

What is antagonistic control?

Neural control of effector organs with dual innervation by sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What does atrophy refer to?

A decrease in the size of an organ or muscle. Signup and view all the answers

What does the autonomic nervous system control?

Smooth muscle, the heart, and glands. Signup and view all the answers

What part of a neuron is responsible for transmitting impulses?

Axon. Signup and view all the answers

What is the axon hillock?

A part of the cell body that connects to the axon. Signup and view all the answers

What does the beta receptor do?

Binds with epinephrine and norepinephrine to cause various responses. Signup and view all the answers

What are catecholamines?

Water-soluble organic compounds including epinephrine and norepinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

What does the central nervous system (CNS) comprise?

The brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What does cholinergic refer to?

The effects of acetylcholine. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cholinergic receptor?

A receptor that binds with acetylcholine. Signup and view all the answers

What is contraction in muscle cells?

The development of tension due to the interaction of actin and myosin filaments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cytoplasm composed of?

Cytosol and organelles. Signup and view all the answers

What are dendrites?

Branched projections from the cell body of a neuron that receive stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neurotransmitters and Neurons

Acetylcholine (ACh): A crucial neurotransmitter involved in somatic and autonomic nervous system signaling.
Action Potential: A rapid electrical signal in excitable cells, crucial for communication and intracellular processes in muscle cells.
Afferent Neuron: Specialized sensory neurons responsible for transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system.
All-or-None Principle: Once a neuron's action potential threshold is reached, it fully propagates, affecting muscle twitches similarly.

Adrenal Gland Structure and Hormones

Adrenal Gland: Also known as suprarenal glands, these endocrine structures produce hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
Adrenal Cortex: The outer layer, responsible for synthesizing steroid hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone.
Adrenal Medulla: The inner layer that produces catecholamines, primarily epinephrine and norepinephrine, crucial for fight-or-flight responses.
Adrenaline: Another name for epinephrine, mainly secreted by the adrenal medulla.

Types of Receptors and Control Mechanisms

Alpha Receptor: An adrenergic receptor that induces vasoconstriction when activated by epinephrine or norepinephrine.
Beta Receptor: An adrenergic receptor that can have varying effects on different tissues depending on subtype (Beta1, Beta2, Beta3).
Cholinergic Receptor: Binds acetylcholine, including nicotinic and muscarinic types that mediate diverse physiological responses.
Antagonistic Control: In autonomic nervous system regulation, organs receive both excitatory and inhibitory signals from sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Muscle Physiology and Morphology

Alpha Motor Neuron: A motor neuron innervating skeletal muscles, crucial for voluntary movement.
Atrophy: Reduction in muscle cross-sectional area, typically due to inactivity or denervation.
Contraction: Occurs through actin and myosin filament interaction, leading to muscle fiber tension.

Nervous System Basics

Central Nervous System (CNS): Comprises the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing sensory input and coordinating responses.
Dendrites: Neuron extensions that receive signals from other cells and convey them to the cell body.
Axon: A long projection from the neuron that transmits action potentials away from the cell body.
Axon Hillock: The area where action potentials initiate, integrating synaptic inputs from the neuron’s dendrites.

Cellular Components and Function

Cytoplasm: Consists of cytosol and organelles, serving as the site for major cellular activities like glycolysis.
Adrenergic: Pertaining to the effects caused by catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine).
Cholinergic: Relates to the actions of acetylcholine within the nervous system.

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Description

Test your knowledge on neural control with these flashcards. This quiz covers key terms such as acetylcholine and action potentials, essential for understanding the nervous system's operation. Perfect for neuroscience or biology students!