Neuroscience Definitions Quiz

A drug that binds to a receptor and mimics neurotransmitter/hormone action.

A substance that blocks receptor activity, preventing agonist action.

A molecule that binds to a specific receptor on a neuron, triggering a cellular response.

Something originating from outside the body, influencing internal processes.

Something that originates within the body, like naturally produced substances.

A chemical messenger released by neurons, transmitting signals across synapses.

A specialized synapse where a motor neuron communicates with a muscle fiber.

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine at the synaptic cleft, terminating its signal.

A motor protein that moves cargo toward the negative (-) end of microtubules (retrograde transport).

A motor protein that transports cargo toward the positive (+) end of microtubules (anterograde transport).

Movement of materials from the soma to the axon terminal, facilitated by kinesin.

Transport of materials from the axon terminal back to the soma, using dynein.

Includes transcription, mRNA processing, translation, and post-translational modifications.

Proteins have four levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.

Extracellular deposits formed by the aggregation of β-amyloid proteins, associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Intracellular tangles made of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

An electrical impulse that travels down an axon, carrying information away from the cell body.

Rapid depolarization of the neuron's membrane potential during an AP caused by opening voltage-gated sodium channels.

Rapid decrease in membrane potential during an AP as the neuron returns to resting state, involving closing of sodium and opening of potassium channels.

The process that restores a neuron's resting membrane potential after an action potential.

The phase where the membrane potential dips below its resting potential after the peak of an AP.

The period following an action potential where a neuron is unable to fire another AP, entering a state of recovery.

The minimum level of stimulus that causes a neuron to fire an action potential.

A potent neurotoxin that selectively blocks voltage-gated sodium channels on nerve cell membranes.

Series of events from action potential to neurotransmitter binding.

Calcium enters axon terminal when action potential opens voltage-gated channels.

Neurotransmitters that increase postsynaptic membrane potential, like opening Na+ channels.

Neurotransmitters that decrease postsynaptic membrane potential, like opening Cl- channels.

AMPA opens with glutamate; NMDA needs glutamate and depolarization to activate.

Strengthening of synaptic connections due to high-frequency stimulation.

Sensitization: Increased response; Habituation: Decreased response to repeated stimulus.

Conditioned: Previously neutral stimulus that elicits a response; Unconditioned: Naturally triggers response.

Weakening of synaptic connections through low-frequency stimulation.

Influences AMPA receptor behavior based on calcium entry: insertion strengthens, removal weakens synaptic transmission.

A spatial learning assay where rats find a hidden platform in a pool, testing memory and hippocampal function.

A test for rats to explore a maze with arms for food, assessing working and reference memory.

A learning process where a neutral stimulus gains the ability to elicit a response by association with an unconditioned stimulus.

A neutral stimulus that triggers a learned response after association with an unconditioned stimulus.

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without any prior learning.

A principle stating that when two neurons fire together, their connection strengthens.

A process where repeated exposure to a stimulus increases the response.

A process where repeated exposure leads to a decline in response.

A protein that binds glutamate, triggering excitatory signals in neurons.