1.3 AP Psych Quiz

Nuerons

individual nerve cells that make up our entire nervous system

Glial Cells

Provides nutrition and protection for the neurons

Sensory neurons

neurons that take information from the senses ot the brain

Motor neurons

neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body

Interneurons

in the brain or spinal cord, neurons that take messges and send them elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord

Spinal Reflex

an immediate response to external stimuli directed at the level of the spinal cord

Action potential

An impulse or brief electric charge that travels down the axon

Threshold

the level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse

All or None Response

A neuron either sends an impulse or it does not

Resting Potential

When a neuron does not have an action potential

Polarized

the state of a resting neuron; the outside of the membrane is positively charged, while the inside of the membrane is negatively

Depolarization

describes an axon that is firing. Positive ions enter the axon and cause other positive ions to move into the axon in the form of a neural impulse down the axon

Refractory Period

a resting pause, where neurons pump positively charged sodium ions back outside of the cell

Reuptake

The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron

Excitatory neurotransmitters

send signals that stimulate the brain

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

send signals to calm the brain down and create balance

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

the loss of muscle control resulting from a deterioration of the myelin sheath

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

a relatively rare acquired, autoimmune disorder caused by an antibody-mediated blockade of neuromuscular transmission, resulting in skeletal muscle weakness and rapid muscle fatigue (caused by a blockage of acetylcholine)

Nuerotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons that generate the next neural impulse, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, etc.

Hormone

a chemical messenger produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs (released in the bloodstream)

Adrenaline

a hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous system. This triggers our "fight or flight" response, which increases heart rate, dilates the pupil, increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, and reduces digestive and reproductive activity

Melatonin

a hormone known to regulate sleep and wake cycles

Ghrelin

increases hunger, secreted by an empty stomach

Leptin

Decreases hunger, a protein hormone secreted by fat cells

Oxytocin

is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland that plays a significant role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth

Is acetylcholine (ACh) a neurotransmitter or a hormone

neurotransmitter

What is the function of acetylcholine

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

What is an example of a malfunction of acetylcholine

With alhiezmer's disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate

Is Dopamine a neurotransmitter or a hormone

neurotransmitter

What is dopamine's function

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

What is an example of a malfunction of dopamine?

Oversupply linked to schizophrenia. Undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease

Is serotonin a neurotransmitter or a hormone?

neurotransmitter

What is serotonin's function?

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

What is an example of a malfunction of serotonin?

undersupply linked to depression. Some drugs that raise serotonin levels are used to treat depression

Is Norepinephrine a neurotransmitter or a hormone?

neurotransmitter

What is norepinephrine's function?

helps to control alertness and arousal

Is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) a neurotransmitter or a hormone

neurotransmitter

What is GABA's function?

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

What is an example of GABA's malfunction

Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Is glutamate a neurotransmitter or a hormone

neurotransmitter

What is glutamate's function?

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved with memory

What is an example of glutamate's malfunction

Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

Are endorphins a neurotransmitter or a hormone

neurotransmitter

What is the endorphin's function

Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain or pleasure

What is an example of a malfunction of endorphins

Oversupply with opioid drugs can suppress the body's natural endorphin supply

Is Substance P a neurotransmitter or a hormone

neurotransmitter

What is Substance P's function

Involved in pain perception and immune response

What is an example of a malfunction for Substance P

Oversupply can lead to chronic pain

Psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that alter perceptions, mood, or behavior

Addiction

craving for a chemical substance despite its adverse effects

Tolerance

After long-term use, the brain then produces less of that specific neurotransmitter - this creates a need for increasing amounts of the drug to experience the same effect

Withdrawl

set of symptoms associated with discontinuing a drug - reverses neuroadaptation

Substance Abuse Disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Depressants

lowers neural activity and slows body functioning

What is alcohol

a depressant that slows neural processing and thinking and impairs physical activity

What are opiates

a depressant drug that reduces neurotransmission and temporarily lessens pain and anxiety

Stimulants

drugs that speed up the body's function

What are caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, meth, and amphetamines

stimulants

Hallucinogens (psychedelics)

drugs that distort perceptions of reality

What are LSD and marijuana

hallucinogens (psychedelics)

Agonists

chemicals that activate the receptors for certain neurotransmitters and make the effects of neurotransmitters stronger

What is caffeine specifically

agonist for ACH

What are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

agonists for serotonin. They also increase the amount of serotonin available to the brain, and are commonly prescribed for depression

Adderall, methamphetamine, cocaine, and speed are all...

agonsists for norepinephrine. When these drugs increase the excitatory effects of norepinephrine, they create feelings of euphoria and extreme alertness

Benzodiazepines and alcohol are...

agonists of GABA

Opiates (morphine, oxycodone, heroin, etc.)

agonists of enorphins

Antagonists

chemicals that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters

LSD is

an antagonist for serotonin

What are some diseases dopamine antagonist drugs are used to treat

psychosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder

Reuptake inhibitors

drugs that prevent the axon terminals from engaging in the reuptake of neurotransmitters

What is an example of a reuptake inhibitor for dopamine

cocaine