8 Questions
What is the primary function of the neurotransmitter dopamine?
Motivation, reward, and movement
What is the term for the long-lasting increase in synaptic strength, involved in learning and memory?
Long-term potentiation (LTP)
Which brain region is responsible for processing sensory information related to touch and spatial awareness?
Parietal lobe
What is the term for the fatty insulation that surrounds the axon, increasing the speed of signal transmission?
Myelin sheath
What is the primary function of the spinal cord?
Transmitting motor signals from the brain to the muscles
What is the term for the automatic responses to stimuli, such as withdrawing a hand from a hot surface?
Reflexes
What is the term for the branching extensions of the neuron that receive signals from other neurons?
Dendrites
What is the term for the ability of the synapse to change in strength based on experience and learning?
Synaptic plasticity
Study Notes
Neurotransmitters
- Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons
- Released by the terminal end of the neuron into the synapse
- Bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
- Examples:
- Acetylcholine (ACh): involved in muscle contraction and memory formation
- Dopamine: involved in motivation, reward, and movement
- Serotonin: involved in mood regulation and appetite
- Norepinephrine: involved in attention and arousal
Brain Regions
- Cerebrum: divided into two hemispheres (left and right), responsible for processing sensory information, controlling movement, and facilitating thought and emotion
- Cerebellum: involved in motor coordination, balance, and learning
- Brainstem: connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord, regulates basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
- Frontal lobe: involved in executive function, decision-making, and motor control
- Parietal lobe: involved in processing sensory information related to touch and spatial awareness
- Temporal lobe: involved in processing auditory information and memory
- Occipital lobe: involved in processing visual information
Neuron Structure
- Dendrites: branching extensions of the neuron that receive signals from other neurons
- Cell body: contains the nucleus and the majority of the neuron's organelles
- Axon: long, slender extension of the neuron that carries signals away from the cell body
- Myelin sheath: fatty insulation that surrounds the axon, increasing the speed of signal transmission
- Terminal buttons: endings of the axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse
Synaptic Transmission
- Excitatory transmission: when a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor, causing an increase in the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing
- Inhibitory transmission: when a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor, causing a decrease in the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing
- Synaptic plasticity: the ability of the synapse to change in strength based on experience and learning
- Long-term potentiation (LTP): a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength, involved in learning and memory
- Long-term depression (LTD): a long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength, involved in forgetting and learning
Spinal Cord Function
- Sensory processing: the spinal cord receives and processes sensory information from the body
- Motor control: the spinal cord transmits motor signals from the brain to the muscles
- Reflexes: automatic responses to stimuli, such as withdrawing a hand from a hot surface
- Segmental organization: the spinal cord is divided into segments, each responsible for a specific region of the body
- Ascending and descending tracts: pathways that transmit information up and down the spinal cord, connecting the brain to the peripheral nervous system
Neurotransmitters
- Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons
- Released by the terminal end of the neuron into the synapse
- Bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
- Examples:
- Acetylcholine (ACh): muscle contraction and memory formation
- Dopamine: motivation, reward, and movement
- Serotonin: mood regulation and appetite
- Norepinephrine: attention and arousal
Brain Regions
- Cerebrum: processes sensory information, controls movement, and facilitates thought and emotion
- Cerebellum: motor coordination, balance, and learning
- Brainstem: regulates basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
- Frontal lobe: executive function, decision-making, and motor control
- Parietal lobe: processing sensory information related to touch and spatial awareness
- Temporal lobe: processing auditory information and memory
- Occipital lobe: processing visual information
Neuron Structure
- Dendrites: receive signals from other neurons
- Cell body: contains the nucleus and majority of organelles
- Axon: carries signals away from the cell body
- Myelin sheath: fatty insulation that increases signal transmission speed
- Terminal buttons: release neurotransmitters into the synapse
Synaptic Transmission
- Excitatory transmission: increases likelihood of postsynaptic neuron firing
- Inhibitory transmission: decreases likelihood of postsynaptic neuron firing
- Synaptic plasticity: ability of synapse to change in strength based on experience and learning
- Long-term potentiation (LTP): long-lasting increase in synaptic strength, involved in learning and memory
- Long-term depression (LTD): long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength, involved in forgetting and learning
Spinal Cord Function
- Sensory processing: receives and processes sensory information from the body
- Motor control: transmits motor signals from the brain to the muscles
- Reflexes: automatic responses to stimuli
- Segmental organization: divided into segments, each responsible for a specific region of the body
- Ascending and descending tracts: pathways that transmit information up and down the spinal cord
Explore the role of chemical messengers in transmitting signals between neurons and the different brain regions involved in various functions.
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