Neuroscience Chapter on Action Potentials and Synapses

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is released at synapses between preganglionic and postganglionic neurons in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is released by most parasympathetic postganglionic fibers at their synapses with effector cells.

The neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) is released by most sympathetic postganglionic fibers at their synapses with effector cells.

A condition affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks.

The process of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

A condition where a particular sensory input triggers an automatic, involuntary experience in a different sensory modality.

A form of synesthesia where numbers or letters are perceived as having inherent colors.

A condition where one sense triggers another, causing a subjective experience; for example, hearing a musical tone can trigger a taste perception.

The ability to hold information in mind for a short period, usually around 7 items.

The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, approximately 3.14159.

The difference in pitch between two notes, often defined by intervals like 'major third' or 'minor second'.

A subjective experience of taste triggered by auditory stimuli, such as musical tone intervals.

A subjective experience of taste, such as sour, bitter, salty, sweet, or umami.

An individual with synesthesia who experiences taste triggered by auditory stimuli.

The subjective experience of hearing, such as recognizing different musical tones.

The refractory period, a temporary state of reduced excitability, ensures that action potentials travel in one direction down the axon.

Myelinated axons have a sheath of myelin that insulates the axon, allowing action potentials to jump between gaps called nodes of Ranvier.

The junction between a neuron and another cell, where communication occurs via neurotransmitters.

The neuron that releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

The neuron that receives the neurotransmitters released by the presynaptic neuron.

Chemicals released by the presynaptic neuron that bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, stimulating a response.

A type of postsynaptic potential that depolarizes the membrane, making it more likely to fire an action potential.

A group of neuromuscular disorders characterized by delayed muscle relaxation after contraction due to faulty neuromuscular transmission.

A protein embedded within the cell membrane that actively transports sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and potassium ions (K+) into the cell, requiring energy from ATP.

A type of cell transport that requires energy, typically from ATP, to move substances against their concentration gradient.

The difference in electrical charge across a cell membrane.

The membrane potential of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting a signal.

A special type of ion channel that opens and closes in response to changes in the membrane potential.

A rapid electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron.

The movement of ions across the cell membrane through specialized proteins called ion channels.

The process of generating and transmitting electrical signals in neurons, which is essential for communication in the nervous system.

The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that separates the cell's internal environment from its external surroundings. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic structure, where phospholipids and proteins move freely within the bilayer. This fluidity allows the membrane to adjust to changing conditions.

Simple diffusion is a passive transport process where molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without requiring cellular energy. This occurs across the cell membrane for small, uncharged molecules and ions.

Small, uncharged molecules like steroid hormones can pass directly through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane due to their lipid solubility.

Small, charged molecules like ions can cross the cell membrane through water-filled channels called pores. These pores are formed by proteins embedded within the membrane.

Ion channels are protein-based structures that act as selective gates for the passage of specific ions, such as sodium, potassium, or calcium. Some ion channels are always open, while others are voltage-gated, opening only in response to changes in membrane potential.

Active transport is a process that requires cellular energy (ATP) to move molecules against their concentration gradient, from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. This is essential for maintaining cell function and intracellular gradients.

Active transport is important for maintaining cell function and intracellular gradients by ensuring the proper concentration of essential ions and molecules is maintained within the cell.

A brief involuntary muscle stiffening in goats, often triggered by surprise or excitement.

A neurotransmitter released at synapses between preganglionic and postganglionic neurons in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The time delay between an event occurring and our brain registering it, approximately 500 milliseconds.