Podcast
Questions and Answers
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there in the human body?
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there in the human body?
Which plexus innervates the neck?
Which plexus innervates the neck?
What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
What is the origin of nerve fibers in the sympathetic nervous system?
What is the origin of nerve fibers in the sympathetic nervous system?
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What form does information take inside neurons?
What form does information take inside neurons?
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How many cervical pairs of spinal nerves are there?
How many cervical pairs of spinal nerves are there?
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What is the function of the lumbar plexus?
What is the function of the lumbar plexus?
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What is the flow of fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system?
What is the flow of fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system?
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What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in the synapse?
What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in the synapse?
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What is the term for the passage or crossing of signals from one neuron to another?
What is the term for the passage or crossing of signals from one neuron to another?
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What is the effect of chronic drug use on neurotransmission?
What is the effect of chronic drug use on neurotransmission?
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What is the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in the body?
What is the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in the body?
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What is the result of changes in gene expression caused by chronic drug use?
What is the result of changes in gene expression caused by chronic drug use?
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What is the role of brain circuits in neurotransmission?
What is the role of brain circuits in neurotransmission?
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What is the gap between one neuron and the next called?
What is the gap between one neuron and the next called?
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What is the result of balanced functioning of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?
What is the result of balanced functioning of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?
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Where are neurotransmitters released from?
Where are neurotransmitters released from?
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What happens to neurotransmitters after they are released?
What happens to neurotransmitters after they are released?
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What is the result of cocaine altering genetic transcription factors in mice?
What is the result of cocaine altering genetic transcription factors in mice?
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What can be a result of epigenetic changes in the brain?
What can be a result of epigenetic changes in the brain?
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What can happen to new dendrites in response to drug use?
What can happen to new dendrites in response to drug use?
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What is the role of enzymes in the synapse?
What is the role of enzymes in the synapse?
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What is the result of THC exposure in rats?
What is the result of THC exposure in rats?
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What is the name of the component of marijuana that is responsible for its psychoactive effects?
What is the name of the component of marijuana that is responsible for its psychoactive effects?
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What is the primary mechanism by which some drugs damage neurons?
What is the primary mechanism by which some drugs damage neurons?
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What is the result of disruptions in serotonin neurotransmitter?
What is the result of disruptions in serotonin neurotransmitter?
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What is the normal function of the cycle of release, breakup, and neuron reentry?
What is the normal function of the cycle of release, breakup, and neuron reentry?
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What is the effect of repeated exposure to toxic drugs on neurons?
What is the effect of repeated exposure to toxic drugs on neurons?
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What is the role of the special structure that spans the neuron membrane?
What is the role of the special structure that spans the neuron membrane?
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What is the effect of methamphetamine on dopamine-releasing neurons?
What is the effect of methamphetamine on dopamine-releasing neurons?
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What is the result of damage to axons that release serotonin?
What is the result of damage to axons that release serotonin?
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What is the name of the drug that damages axons that release serotonin?
What is the name of the drug that damages axons that release serotonin?
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Study Notes
Spinal Cord, Nerves, and Plexuses
- Spinal nerves emerge from segments of the spinal cord
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal spinal nerve
- Four major plexuses: cervical (C1-C4), brachial (C5-T1), lumbar (L1-L4), and sacral (L4-S4) plexuses, which innervate different parts of the body
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
- Sympathetic nervous system: nerve fibers have thoracolumbar origin (T1-L2/L3 spinal cord) and synapse with prevertebral and paravertebral ganglia
- Parasympathetic nervous system: "rest and digest" or "feed and breed" activities, slows down cardiovascular system, diverts blood away from muscles, and increases peristalsis and gland secretion
- Craniosacral flow: brainstem (cranio) and S2-S4 spinal cord segments (sacral)
Neurotransmission and Synapses
- Information takes the form of an electrical signal inside neurons
- To cross the synapse, information takes the form of a chemical signal
- Neurotransmitters are specialized molecules that carry signals across the synapses
- Neurotransmission is the process by which signaling molecules are released by the axon terminal of a neuron and bind to receptors on the dendrites of another neuron
Neurotransmitters and Drugs
- Neurotransmitters relay information about the environment and shape how we respond
- Chronic drug use can cause long-term effects in neurotransmission abnormalities
- Examples: cocaine alters genetic transcription factors and expressions of hundreds of genes in mice, leading to increased drug-seeking and addiction-like behaviors
Fate of Neurotransmitters
- Neurotransmitters can meet one of three fates in the synapse: attach to another receptor, encounter enzyme (breaks them apart), or transport back to the sending neuron via special structure
- Examples: Club drug (MMDA/Ecstasy/Molly) damages axons that produce serotonin, leading to memory problems; methamphetamine damages dopamine-releasing neurons, causing defects in thinking and motor skills
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Description
This quiz covers the physiological and biological aspects of psychology, focusing on the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and plexuses. Topics include the structure and function of the spinal cord, the 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and the four major plexuses.