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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?
What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?
- To receive signals from other neurons
- To insulate the axon and increase the speed of nerve conduction (correct)
- To generate electrical impulses within the neuron
- To form junctions with other cells
Which of the following best describes the role of neurotransmitters?
Which of the following best describes the role of neurotransmitters?
- Conducting electrical signals directly from one neuron to another
- Maintaining the resting potential of a neuron
- Crossing the synaptic gap to transmit signals between neurons (correct)
- Insulating the axon to speed up electrical impulses
How do agonists influence neuronal communication?
How do agonists influence neuronal communication?
- By inhibiting the effects of neurotransmitters
- By reabsorbing neurotransmitters back into the sending neuron
- By speeding up the production of neurotransmitters
- By mimicking the effects of neurotransmitters on the receiving neuron (correct)
Which neuroimaging technique provides a visual display of brain activity by tracking a radioactive form of glucose?
Which neuroimaging technique provides a visual display of brain activity by tracking a radioactive form of glucose?
What is the primary function of the medulla?
What is the primary function of the medulla?
If a person has difficulty understanding spoken language and processing auditory information, which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most likely affected?
If a person has difficulty understanding spoken language and processing auditory information, which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most likely affected?
What is the main function of the corpus callosum?
What is the main function of the corpus callosum?
Which of the following is an example of neural plasticity?
Which of the following is an example of neural plasticity?
Which division of the nervous system is responsible for the voluntary control of skeletal muscles?
Which division of the nervous system is responsible for the voluntary control of skeletal muscles?
How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system in terms of communication?
How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system in terms of communication?
Flashcards
Neuron
Neuron
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
Axon
Axon
Conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
Dendrite
Dendrite
Fibers that receive signals from the axons of other neurons; cell's receivers.
Myelin Sheath
Myelin Sheath
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Terminal Buttons
Terminal Buttons
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Vesicle
Vesicle
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Neural impulse
Neural impulse
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Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
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Reuptake
Reuptake
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Thalamus
Thalamus
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Study Notes
- The nervous system facilitates rapid and specific communication throughout the body.
- A neuron, or nerve cell, is a fundamental building block of the nervous system.
- Glial cells have specific functions within the nervous system.
- An axon, also known as a nerve fiber, conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
- Axons are the cell's transmitter.
- Dendrites are multiple, usually shorter fibers that receive signals from the axons of other neurons, functioning as cell "receivers".
- Myelin sheath is a fatty substance that insulates the axon from other neurons, speeding up nerve conduction.
- Terminal branches form junctions with other cells.
- Terminal buttons are areas at the end of an axon fiber which contain small sacks called synaptic vesicles.
- The cell body/soma is the largest part of a cell, containing general cell parts and the nucleus and supports the entire neuron.
- Vesicles are sacs of neurotransmitters at the terminal buttons of axons.
- Resting potential of a neuron is -70 millivolts.
- Neural impulse is an electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber.
- The threshold for a neuron to "fire" is -55 millivolts.
- Action potential is a neural impulse, being a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
- Synapse is the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.
- Synapse is also called the Synaptic Cleft/Gap due to the small gap between the dendrite and axon.
- Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps between neurons.
- When released, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, influencing whether it will generate a neural impulse.
- The "Lock and Key" model explains that a neurotransmitter is specific to a receptor cell on the dendrite.
- Reuptake is a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron.
- Agonists are molecules that mimic the neurotransmitter's effects on the receiving neuron.
- Antagonists are molecules that inhibit or have the opposite effect of a neurotransmitter.
- Reduced dopamine and acetylcholine activity are associated with certain diseases.
- EEG (electroencephalogram) is an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
- PET (positron emission tomography) is a visual display of brain activity that detects what a radioactive form of glucose does while the brain performs a given task.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue.
- MRI can show brain anatomy.
- fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.
- fMRI shows brain function.
- The brainstem is the oldest part of the brain, where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull.
- The medulla, located at the base of the brain stem, controls heartbeat and breathing.
- Reticular formation is a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.
- The thalamus functions as the brain's sensory switchboard, directing messages to the sensory areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
- The cerebellum, or "little brain", is attached to the rear of the brainstem.
- The cerebellum helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance.
- The limbic system is a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebrum, associated with emotions such as fear, aggression, and drives for food and sex.
- The limbic system includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.
- Amygdala consists of two lima bean-sized neural clusters linked to the emotions of fear/anger.
- The hypothalamus lies below the thalamus and directs several maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, and control of the emotions.
- The hypothalamus helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and helps keep the body in homeostasis.
- Hippocampus processes conscious memories.
- The frontal lobes are the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.
- Parietal lobes are the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.
- Temporal lobes are the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas; each receiving information from the opposite ear.
- Occipital lobes are the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields.
- The motor cortex is an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
- The sensory cortex is an area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.
- Association areas are areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions.
- Rather, association areas are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.
- The corpus callosum is the large band of neural fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them.
- Split-brain is a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them.
- Neural plasticity is the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood.
- Neural plasticity involves reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.
- Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.
- The divisions/branches of the nervous system are the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (all other neurons).
- The somatic nervous system enables voluntary control of our skeletal muscles.
- The autonomic nervous system controls our glands and the muscles of our internal organs.
- The autonomic nervous system has sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.
- The endocrine system consists of systems of glands and ducts throughout the body.
- Communication in the endocrine system is slower and less specific than in the nervous system, and it secretes hormones into the blood.
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