Questions and Answers
What is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)?
An electrical change in the membrane of a postsynaptic cell caused by the binding of an excitatory neurotransmitter from a presynaptic cell to a postsynaptic receptor, making it more likely for the postsynaptic cell to generate an action potential.
What is an ion channel?
A transmembrane protein channel that allows a specific ion to diffuse across the membrane down its concentration or electrochemical gradient.
What is a synapse?
The junction where a neuron communicates with another cell across a narrow gap via a neurotransmitter or an electrical coupling.
What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?
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What is a dendrite?
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What is an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)?
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What is the node of Ranvier?
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What is a nerve?
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What is an interneuron?
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What is threshold?
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What is hyperpolarization?
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What is summation in neural integration?
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What is acetylcholine?
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What is a neuron?
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What is a neuropeptide?
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What is equilibrium potential (Eion)?
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What is an axon?
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What is resting potential?
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What is an oligodendrocyte?
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What is the brain?
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What is the cell body of a neuron?
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What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
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What is a neurotransmitter?
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What are glial cells?
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What is a ganglion?
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What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
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What is a Schwann cell?
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What is a voltage-gated ion channel?
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What is a myelin sheath?
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What is saltatory conduction?
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What is membrane potential?
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What is a motor neuron?
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What is a sensory neuron?
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What is a gated ion channel?
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What is a refractory period?
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What is depolarization?
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What is action potential?
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What is a graded potential?
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What is an endorphin?
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What do sodium-potassium pumps do?
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What is neural conduction?
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What is direct synaptic transmission?
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What does EPSP stand for?
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What does IPSP stand for?
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How do EPSP and IPSP work at the axon hillock?
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What are abiotic factors?
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Study Notes
Neural Communication Terms
- Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP): Depolarization in the postsynaptic cell's membrane; increases likelihood of action potential generation.
- Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP): Hyperpolarization in the postsynaptic membrane; decreases chances of neuron firing an action potential.
- Summation: The combined effect of EPSPs and IPSPs, determining if the axon hillock reaches threshold to fire an action potential.
Neuron Structure and Function
- Neuron: Fundamental nerve cell designed to conduct signals across the nervous system.
- Dendrite: Short, branched extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.
- Axon: Long extension transmitting nerve impulses away from the cell body.
- Cell Body: Contains the nucleus and organelles; essential for neuron function.
- Myelin Sheath: Insulating layer around axons formed by Schwann cells (in PNS) or oligodendrocytes (in CNS), facilitating rapid impulse conduction.
- Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials are regenerated, allowing for saltatory conduction.
Ion Channels and Membrane Potential
- Ion Channel: Transmembrane proteins that selectively allow specific ions to diffuse across the membrane.
- Voltage-Gated Ion Channel: Opens or closes in response to membrane potential changes, crucial for action potential propagation.
- Ligand-Gated Ion Channel: Opens in response to specific signaling molecules, regulating ion flow into the neuron.
- Resting Potential: The stable membrane potential of a nonconducting neuron, typically around -70 mV.
- Hyperpolarization: Membrane potential becomes more negative, reducing neuron excitability.
Action Potential Dynamics
- Action Potential: All-or-nothing electrical signal traveling along the neuron; initiated when membrane depolarization reaches threshold.
- Graded Potential: Variable change in membrane potential, reflecting signal strength, decaying over distance.
- Refractory Period: Recovery time post-action potential during which neuron is less responsive to stimuli.
Neurotransmitter and Neural Integration
- Neurotransmitter: Molecules released at synapses that trigger responses in postsynaptic cells; can be excitatory or inhibitory.
- Acetylcholine: Common neurotransmitter that influences membrane permeability and can lead to depolarization or hyperpolarization.
- Interneuron: Connects sensory and motor neurons, facilitating signal integration within the central nervous system.
Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Comprises sensory and motor neurons that connect to the CNS.
- Central Nervous System (CNS): Consists of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for signal integration and processing.
Glial Cells and Nervous System Support
- Glia (Glial Cells): Support and maintain neuronal functions; assist in shaping the nervous system.
- Oligodendrocytes: Form myelin sheath in the CNS.
- Schwann Cells: Form myelin sheath in the PNS.
Environmental Factors in Ecology
- Abiotic Factors: Nonliving components of the environment (e.g., climate, soil, water).
- Biotic Factors: Living organisms within an environment, interacting with each other and their surroundings.
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Test your knowledge of key concepts in neuroscience with these flashcards from Chapter 37. Explore terms like EPSP and ion channels, enhancing your understanding of neuronal communication. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their learning in this complex field.