Neuroscience Chapter 37 Flashcards

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.

A transmembrane protein channel that allows a specific ion to diffuse across the membrane down its concentration or electrochemical gradient.

The junction where a neuron communicates with another cell across a narrow gap via a neurotransmitter or an electrical coupling.

<p>A transport protein that actively transports sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One of usually numerous, short, highly branched extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An electrical change in the membrane of a postsynaptic neuron caused by the binding of an inhibitory neurotransmitter, making it more difficult for a postsynaptic neuron to generate an action potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A gap in the myelin sheath of certain axons where an action potential may be generated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A fiber composed primarily of the bundled axons of neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A nerve cell within the central nervous system that forms synapses with sensory and/or motor neurons and integrates sensory input and motor output.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The potential that an excitable cell membrane must reach for an action potential to be initiated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A change in a cell's membrane potential such that the inside of the membrane becomes more negative relative to the outside.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A phenomenon in which the membrane potential of the postsynaptic cell is determined by the combined effect of EPSPs or IPSPs produced in rapid succession at one synapse or simultaneously at different synapses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One of the most common neurotransmitters that functions by binding to receptors and altering the permeability of the postsynaptic membrane to specific ions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A nerve cell; the fundamental unit of the nervous system, having structure and properties that allow it to conduct signals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A relatively short chain of amino acids that serves as a neurotransmitter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The magnitude of a cell's membrane voltage at equilibrium, calculated using the Nernst equation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A typically long extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body toward target cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The membrane potential characteristic of a nonconducting excitable cell, with the inside of the cell more negative than the outside.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A type of glial cell that forms insulating myelin sheaths around the axons of neurons in the central nervous system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The organ of the central nervous system where information is processed and integrated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The part of a neuron that houses the nucleus and most other organelles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The sensory and motor neurons that connect to the central nervous system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A molecule released from the synaptic terminal of a neuron that triggers a response in the postsynaptic cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cells of the nervous system that support, regulate, and augment the functions of neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A cluster of nerve cell bodies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The portion of the nervous system where signal integration occurs; in vertebrate animals, the brain and spinal cord.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A type of glial cell that forms insulating myelin sheaths around the axons of neurons in the peripheral nervous system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A specialized ion channel that opens or closes in response to changes in membrane potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An insulating coat of cell membranes wrapped around the axon of a neuron, which is interrupted by nodes of Ranvier.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The rapid transmission of a nerve impulse along an axon due to the action potential jumping from one node of Ranvier to another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The difference in electrical charge across a cell's plasma membrane due to the differential distribution of ions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A nerve cell that transmits signals from the brain or spinal cord to muscles or glands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A nerve cell that receives information from the internal or external environment and transmits signals to the central nervous system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A gated channel for a specific ion whose opening or closing may alter a cell's membrane potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The short time immediately after an action potential in which the neuron cannot respond to another stimulus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A change in a cell's membrane potential such that the inside of the membrane becomes less negative relative to the outside.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An electrical signal that propagates along the membrane of a neuron as a nongraded depolarization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A shift in the membrane potential that has an amplitude proportional to signal strength and decays as it spreads.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Any of several hormones produced in the brain and anterior pituitary that inhibit pain perception.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sodium-potassium pumps use the energy of ATP to maintain K+ and Na+ gradients across the plasma membrane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Information travels within a neuron using electricity from dendrites to the end of the axon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Binding of neurotransmitters to ligand-gated ion channels in the postsynaptic cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Excitatory postsynaptic potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inhibitory postsynaptic potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Through summation, an IPSP can counter the effect of an EPSP, determining whether the axon hillock will reach threshold and generate an action potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nonliving components of the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>All the living organisms that inhabit an environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers