Study Guide Exam 1 Physiological Psychology

What were the conclusions of Santiago Ramon y Cajal’s work regarding nerve cells?

He established that neurons are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system.

What are the main parts of an animal cell?

Membrane, nucleus, mitochondrion, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum.

What are the key parts of a neuron?

Dendrites, dendritic spines, cell body, axon, presynaptic terminal.

What is the main source of nutrition for vertebrate neurons?

Glucose.

What does it mean for a neuron's membrane to be polarized?

It means there is a difference in electric charge across the membrane, with the inside being more negative than the outside.

What happens to sodium and potassium channels when a neuron's membrane is at rest?

Sodium channels are closed and potassium channels are partially closed.

When at rest, does the concentration gradient drive sodium into or out of the cell?

Into the cell.

Does the electrical gradient drive potassium into or out of the cell when at rest?

Out of the cell.

What is an action potential?

A rapid, temporary change in the membrane potential of a neuron that occurs when it is stimulated.

What triggers the depolarization of a neuron reaching the threshold of excitation?

The influx of sodium ions into the neuron.

What is the function of the Myelin Sheath?

To insulate axons and speed up the transmission of nerve impulses.

What are excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)?

Changes in membrane potential that make a neuron more likely to fire an action potential.

What is the difference between EPSPs and action potentials?

EPSPs are graded potentials that can vary in size, while action potentials are all-or-nothing events.

Which ions are associated with increased permeability resulting in an IPSP?

Increased permeability to potassium or chloride ions.

Which neurotransmitter is primarily used by the parasympathetic nervous system?

Acetylcholine.

What neurotransmitter is primarily used by the sympathetic nervous system?

Norepinephrine.

What is heritability?

A measure of how much variation in a trait can be attributed to genetic differences.

What is apoptosis in the context of neuronal survival?

The process of programmed cell death that occurs when a neuron does not receive enough neurotrophins.

What happens during synaptogenesis?

The formation of synapses between neurons as they develop.

What is diaschisis?

A temporary disruption in function in a brain area that is distant from a site of injury.

What are stem cells?

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into various cell types, including neurons.

What is the role of neurotrophins?

They support the survival, development, and function of neurons.

What is the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

They are chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

What is the function of the axon hillock?

It integrates signals from the dendrites and initiates the action potential if the threshold is reached.

What are glial cells?

Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide support, nutrition, and insulation for neurons.

What is the blood-brain barrier?

A selective barrier that prevents certain substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream.

What occurs during repolarization of a neuron?

Potassium channels open, allowing potassium to leave the cell, restoring the negative membrane potential.

What is the significance of the sodium-potassium pump?

It maintains the concentration gradients of sodium and potassium ions across the neuronal membrane.

What are the effects of myelin loss on nerve impulse transmission?

It slows down or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses, leading to neurological issues.

What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Excitatory neurotransmitters promote depolarization and increase the likelihood of action potentials, while inhibitory neurotransmitters promote hyperpolarization and decrease the likelihood.

What is synaptic plasticity?

The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity.

What is the role of calcium ions in synaptic transmission?

Calcium ions facilitate the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft.

What is the function of the synaptic cleft?

The synaptic cleft is the small gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released and bind to receptors.

What role do astrocytes play in the nervous system?

Astrocytes are glial cells that support neuronal function, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and regulate blood flow in the brain.

What is neurogenesis?

Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.

What is the resting membrane potential of a typical neuron?

The resting membrane potential is typically around -70 mV, indicating the inside of the neuron is more negative compared to the outside.

What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?

Long-term potentiation is a stable and enduring increase in the strength of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

What is the role of oligodendrocytes?

Oligodendrocytes are glial cells that produce the myelin sheath around axons in the central nervous system.

How do action potentials propagate along an axon?

Action potentials propagate along an axon through a process called saltatory conduction, where the impulse jumps between myelinated segments.

What is the function of neurotransmitter receptors?

Neurotransmitter receptors are proteins on the postsynaptic membrane that bind neurotransmitters and initiate a response in the receiving neuron.

What is the depolarization phase of an action potential?

The depolarization phase is when the neuron's membrane potential becomes more positive due to the influx of sodium ions.

What is repolarization?

Repolarization is the phase following depolarization where the membrane potential becomes more negative again, primarily due to potassium ions exiting the neuron.