Neurotransmission and Signal Processing

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to neurotransmission and signal processing, focusing on how chemical signals affect neuronal communication and potential outcomes in the body.

Chemical Signal

A chemical substance released as a transmitter to relay information between cells.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that cause depolarization and promote action potentials.

Depolarization

A process where the transmembrane potential becomes more positive, moving closer to threshold.

Threshold

The critical level to which the membrane potential must be depolarized to trigger an action potential.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that cause hyperpolarization and inhibit action potentials.

Hyperpolarization

A process where the transmembrane potential becomes more negative, moving away from threshold.

Presynaptic Cell

The neuron that sends the signal and releases neurotransmitters.

Postsynaptic Cell

The neuron that receives the signal and processes it.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter released at cholinergic synapses, crucial for muscle contraction.

Cholinergic Synapse

A synapse where acetylcholine is released and binds to receptors on the postsynaptic cell.

Acetylcholinesterase

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.

Summation

The process of adding together excitatory and inhibitory signals at the postsynaptic cell.

Temporal Summation

The additive effect of multiple signals arriving from the same presynaptic neuron over time.

Spatial Summation

The additive effect of signals arriving simultaneously from different presynaptic neurons.

Facilitation

The process of nearing threshold due to excitatory postsynaptic potentials.

Inhibition

The slowing or stopping of signals due to inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.

Propagation

The transmission of an action potential along the axon.

Epinephrine

An excitatory neurotransmitter involved in the fight-or-flight response, also known as adrenaline.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that plays important roles in movement and is associated with Parkinson's disease.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood and is targeted by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Neurotransmitter Reuptake

The process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the presynaptic cell after signaling.

Information Processing

The integration and response determination of the postsynaptic cell to incoming signals.