Brain and Behaviour flashcards

Flashcards about Brain and Behavior. Topics included are the neuron system, synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters.

Why is it called the nervous system?

Named after nerves (bundles of fibres/ groupings of neurones by the axon)

What is the Enteric nervous system?

Part of the autonomic system that focuses on digestion

What does the Autonomic system do?

Mediates unconscious (involuntary) activities e.g., regulating heart rate, blood pressure

What does the Somatic system do?

Involved in conscious (voluntary) activities e.g., walking, talking

Which part of the subcortex is important for the control of movement?

Basal ganglia

Which part of the subcortex Correspond to memory, emotion, learning and stress response

Limbic System

What is the fundamental unit of the nervous system?

Neuron

What is the role of the cell body of a neuron?

Maintains neuron’s structure and keeps nucleus and organelles situated

What is the role of Dendrites?

Receive and store information from axon terminals, conducting electrical impulses towards the nerve cell's cell body

What is the function of a motor neuron?

Enables both voluntary and involuntary movements through the innervation of effector muscles and glands.

What is the function of a sensory neuron?

Specialised in body organs, detect environmental stimuli and convert them into messages sent to the CNS

What is the function of Interneurons?

Are the central nodes of neural circuits that facilitate communication between sensory or motor neurons and the (CNS)

What is Synapse?

Small gaps in neurons that facilitate signal transmission between neurons, connecting them and transmitting information between them

What is Axonal transport?

A cellular process responsible for the movement of mitochondria, lipids, synaptic vesicles, proteins, and other organelles to and from a neuron's cell body

What are the two functions of an axon?

Rapid transmission of electrical signals along the outside of the axon and slower transportation of substances through the inside

What is the role of glial cells?

Plays a crucial role in information processing and neuronal functioning.

How do glial cells contribute to neuronal function?

Provides neurones with raw materials, chemical signals, and structural elements.

How myelin contributes to neuronal function?

Speeds up electrical impulses along the axon.

A neurone in its resting state is negatively charged relative to the outside, estimate the voltage

Around -50 to -80 millivolts

How are action potentials generated?

Generated in response to input received by dendrites at the integration zone

What does Hyperpolarization do?

Causes the cell to become more polarized, making it more negative relative to the outside.

What does Depolarization do?

Makes the cell more equal to the outside.

What is Postsynaptic potentials?

The process by which dendrites collect information from other neurons

What is Neurotransmission?

Process by which neurotransmitters and drugs are released, enabling information communication between brain and body regions

What is a drug?

A substance used in diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases or as part of medication

What Drugs' pharmacodynamics?

Describe their effects on the body at the receptor level

What is affinity in the context of Drugs' pharmacodynamics?

Refers to a drug's attraction to a specific receptor site, requiring lower concentrations to occupy all receptors.

What is efficacy in the context of Drugs' pharmacodynamics?

The drug's ability to induce a response once bound to the receptor site, determining its biological effect.

What are Agonists?

Occupy and develop receptors, acting like a key to unlock the receptor door

What are Antagonists?

Occupy and block receptors, preventing neurotransmitters from binding to them

What are Reuptake Inhibitors?

Drugs that block the reuptake of neurotransmitters from the synapse back up into the presynaptic terminal

What are the Amines?

A group of quaternary amines, including acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin, dopamine, and monoamines.

What is Neurotransmission?

The process by which neurotransmitters and drugs are released, enabling information communication between brain and body regions