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Questions and Answers
What is the resting potential of a neuron?
What is the primary function of the Na+/K+ pump?
What is the purpose of voltage-gated ion channels?
What is the term for the rapid depolarization of a neuron?
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What is the term for the period during which a neuron is unable to generate another action potential?
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What is the term for the movement of ions through the cell membrane?
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What is the term for the electrical impulses that travel along the length of a neuron?
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What is the term for the localized depolarization of a neuron?
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What is the term for the integration of multiple synaptic inputs?
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What is the term for the period of rapid depolarization during an action potential?
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Study Notes
Nervous System - Basic Function
- The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- CNS: brain and spinal cord
- PNS: nerves that connect CNS to the rest of the body
Structure of a Neuron
- Neuron: basic functional unit of the nervous system
- Dendrites: receive signals
- Cell body: contains nucleus
- Axon: transmits signals
- Myelin sheath: insulates and speeds up signal transmission
Types of Neurons
- Multipolar neurons: multiple processes extending from the cell body (most common type)
- Bipolar neurons: two processes extending from the cell body (some special sense neurons)
- Unipolar neurons: single short process extending from the cell body (most sensory neurons)
- Anaxonic neurons: processes are only dendrites, no axon present (interneurons of the CNS)
Important Attribute of Neurons
- Neurons are excitable and easily excited
Membrane Potential
- Resting membrane potential: -70mV (difference in electric potential between exterior and interior of cell membrane)
- Formed by unequal concentrations of K+ and Na+ ions
- Ion channels: allow ions to pass through the cell membrane
- Na+/K+ pump: active transport counter to ions concentrations, requires energy from ATP
Generation of Action Potential
- Stimulus: chemical, physical, or electrical signal
- Depolarization: stimulus raises membrane potential, threshold is -55mV
- Action potential: signal that carries information along the axon (1-2 msec)
- All-or-none response: action potential either occurs or it doesn't, no intermediate responses
Synapses
- Chemical synapse: transmission occurs through neurotransmitters
- Electrical synapse: transmission occurs through electrical signals
- Synaptic transmission: process of transmitting information from one neuron to another
- Postsynaptic potential: response of the postsynaptic cell to neurotransmitters (excitatory or inhibitory)
Synapse Functioning
- Summation of impulses: multiple signals combined to produce a response
- Summation of stimulus: multiple stimuli combined to produce a response
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental functions and structures of the nervous system, including neurons and the central nervous system, as discussed in Campbell and Reece's 2008 textbook.
