Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry Quiz

Neurophysiology and Neuronal Communication

• Neurophysiology is the study of the functions and processes of neurons, including the generation and transmission of electrical signals.

Action Potential

• The action potential in a neuron is triggered by a rapid change in the electrical properties of the cell membrane, usually caused by an excitatory neurotransmitter.

Receptors and Neuronal Communication

• Receptors play a crucial role in neuronal communication by receiving and responding to neurotransmitters released by other neurons.
• They are specific proteins on the surface of neurons that bind to neurotransmitters, allowing the signal to be transmitted.

Resting Membrane Potential

• The resting membrane potential of a neuron is approximately -70 millivolts (mV), which is a stable, negatively charged state.

Myelin Sheath

• The myelin sheath is a fatty, insulating layer that surrounds the axon of a neuron, allowing electrical signals to propagate faster and more efficiently.
• It is composed of lipid-rich cells called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Nodes of Ranvier

• The nodes of Ranvier are small gaps in the myelin sheath, where the axon is exposed and allows the electrical signal to propagate.

Multiple Sclerosis

• Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease caused by the deterioration of the myelin sheath, leading to disruptions in neuronal communication.

Supporting Cells

• Glial cells, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, support and maintain neural structure and function.

Myelin Function

• Myelin serves to insulate and facilitate the transmission of electrical signals along the axon of a neuron.

Neuronal Communication

• The main way that neurons communicate with each other is through the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse, which then bind to receptors on adjacent neurons.

Neurotransmitter Release

• The release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft is triggered by an action potential reaching the axon terminal.

Unbound Neurotransmitters

• Unbound neurotransmitters in the synapse are either broken down by enzymes or taken back up by the neuron through a process called reuptake.

EPSP

• The function of EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential) is to increase the likelihood of an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron.

Integration of Multiple Inputs

• The integration of multiple inputs from presynaptic neurons is called synaptic integration.

Oligodendrocytes

• Oligodendrocytes are a type of glial cell that produces and maintains the myelin sheath in the CNS, allowing for efficient transmission of electrical signals.