Review Slides

In the context of action potentials, the term __ refers to the potential that initiates the action potential.

threshold potential

The primary distinction between currents and potentials relates to their characteristics and the way they create signals.

local; action

Neurotransmitters are released from __ when an action potential arrives at the synaptic terminal.

synaptic vesicles

The __ is critical in maintaining the electrical gradient essential for the generation of action potentials.

cell membrane

The interaction of and at the synaptic terminal is necessary for the release of neurotransmitters.

calcium ions; synaptic proteins

The membrane's ability to hold charge is referred to as __.

capacitance

Local potentials can result in __ summation when multiple signals arrive at different times.

temporal

Action potentials are characterized by their __, which remains constant regardless of the strength of the stimulus once the threshold is reached.

magnitude

The structure in neurons prevents the degradation of signals as they travel along the axon.

myelin sheath

The __ of a neuron must reach a certain threshold for an action potential to occur.

axon hillock

The term __ describes the influx of sodium ions during the depolarization phase of an action potential.

sodium influx

Electrical synapses differ from chemical synapses in that they allow ions to flow directly between cells through __.

gap junctions

In the process of neurotransmitter release, exocytosis requires the presence of __ ions inside the presynaptic terminal.

calcium

Action potentials occur when the channels open, allowing to enter the neuron.

voltage-gated sodium; sodium ions

The space between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron is known as the __.

synaptic cleft

The __ contributes to presynaptic terminal calcium influx by depolarizing the synaptic membrane.

action potential

Narrowing of the __ will increase the resistance and impact ion flow during conduction.

axon diameter

Neurons communicate through __ signaling by utilizing neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft.

chemical

The term __ describes the ability of the neuron to convert synaptic inputs into a membrane potential change.

integration

A __ synapse allows for rapid signal transmission due to direct electrical coupling.

chemical

The function of in neurons is to enhance signal propagation and decrease capacitance.

myelin sheath

During the __ phase of an action potential, potassium channels open allowing potassium to exit the cell.

repolarization

The process by which neurotransmitters are transported back into the presynaptic neuron is called __.

reuptake

The potassium concentration is higher __ the neuron compared to the outside during resting potential.

inside

The binding of neurotransmitters to postsynaptic receptors creates a __ potential.

postsynaptic

__ refers to the time during which a neuron cannot fire a second action potential regardless of the stimulus strength.

absolute refractory period

The __ model describes how action potentials propagate along a myelinated axon.

saltatory conduction

The __ potential is smaller and can vary in magnitude, while action potentials are all-or-nothing response.

graded

The resting membrane potential of a neuron is typically around __ millivolts.

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Immune cells in the nervous system that help maintain homeostasis and support neuron function are called __.

glial cells

In synaptic transmission, __ may inhibit or excite the postsynaptic neuron based on the receptor type activated.

neurotransmitters

The __ is responsible for recycling neurotransmitters after they have performed their function.

presynaptic neuron

Neurotransmitter release is triggered by a rise in __ concentration in the synaptic terminal due to action potentials.

calcium

__ synapses transmit signals instantly, using ion flow between neurons without neurotransmitter involvement.

Electrical

The myelin sheath is produced by in the peripheral nervous system and in the central nervous system.

Schwann cells; oligodendrocytes

The term __ describes when multiple presynaptic neurons collectively influence a single postsynaptic neuron.

spatial summation

The main function of the __ is to receive and integrate incoming signals from other neurons.

dendrites

Proteins that form connections between vesicular and target membranes are known as __ and T-SNAREs.

V-SNAREs

The principle of __ states that stronger stimuli don’t increase action potential size, but can increase firing rate.

frequency coding

Neurotransmitters can exert their effects by activating __ receptors, which are directly coupled to ion channels.

ionotropic

The __ phase of signal transmission in synapses involves either excitation or inhibition of the postsynaptic neuron.

postsynaptic effect

Chronic diseases affecting neurotransmitter systems can lead to __ dysfunctions in neuronal communication.

pathophysiological

__ potentials are characterized by temporal summation and can lead to an action potential if strong enough.

Graded

The action potential threshold is typically set around __ mV, which must be reached to fire an action potential.

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