Neuroscience Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the dendrites in a neuron?

  • Maintain cell function
  • Transmit signals to other neurons
  • Integrate and process information
  • Receive signals from other neurons (correct)

What type of synapse increases the likelihood of an action potential?

  • Chemical
  • Inhibitory
  • Electrical
  • Excitatory (correct)

Which part of the brain is involved in movement control and cognition?

  • Cerebellum
  • Cerebral cortex
  • Hippocampus
  • Basal ganglia (correct)

What is the process by which neurons transmit information?

<p>Nerve conduction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the rapid transmission of an action potential between nodes of Ranvier?

<p>Saltatory conduction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which external stimuli are converted into neural signals?

<p>Sensory processing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Neurons

  • Basic building blocks of the nervous system
  • Consist of:
    • Dendrites: receive signals
    • Cell body: contains nucleus and maintains cell function
    • Axon: transmits signals
  • Types of neurons:
    • Sensory neurons: transmit signals from sensory receptors to CNS
    • Motor neurons: transmit signals from CNS to muscles or glands
    • Interneurons: integrate and process information within CNS

Synapses

  • Small gaps between neurons that allow chemical communication
  • Process:
    1. Neurotransmitter release from axon terminal
    2. Binding of neurotransmitter to receptors on postsynaptic neuron
    3. Signal transmission and integration
  • Types of synapses:
    • Excitatory: increase likelihood of action potential
    • Inhibitory: decrease likelihood of action potential
    • Electrical: direct electrical connection between neurons

Brain Anatomy

  • Cerebrum: largest part of brain, divided into:
    • Cerebral cortex: outer layer, responsible for sensory perception, thought, and voluntary movement
    • Basal ganglia: involved in movement control and cognition
    • Hippocampus: plays key role in memory formation
  • Cerebellum: coordinates muscle movements and balance
  • Brainstem: connects cerebrum to spinal cord, regulates basic functions (breathing, heart rate, etc.)

Nerve Conduction

  • Mechanism by which neurons transmit information
  • Action potential:
    • Depolarization: rapid change in membrane potential
    • Repolarization: return to resting state
  • Saltatory conduction: rapid transmission of action potential between nodes of Ranvier
  • Myelination: insulation of axons by Schwann cells, increases conduction speed

Sensory Processing

  • Conversion of external stimuli into neural signals
  • Process:
    1. Transduction: conversion of stimulus into electrical signal
    2. Transmission: signal transmission to CNS
    3. Perception: interpretation of signal by brain
  • Types of sensory receptors:
    • Mechanoreceptors: respond to touch, pressure, and vibration
    • Photoreceptors: respond to light (vision)
    • Chemoreceptors: respond to chemicals (taste, smell)
    • Thermoreceptors: respond to temperature

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