Neuroscience: Neurons and Synapses - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to neural signaling, synapses, and related clinical treatments from the notes.

Refractory Period

A brief recovery period after an action potential during which a neuron cannot fire again.

All-or-None Principle

An action potential is either fully fired or not fired at all; it must reach a threshold voltage and has the same intensity each time.

Action Potential

A rapid electrical impulse that travels along a neuron when it fires.

Graded Potential

A small membrane potential change from a stimulus that is not strong enough to trigger an action potential; no transmission occurs.

Synaptic Transmission

The process of communication between neurons across the synapse via neurotransmitters.

Synaptic Cleft

The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released and received.

Receptor Sites

Specific binding locations on the postsynaptic neuron that bind neurotransmitters.

Lock and Key Mechanism

Neurotransmitters must fit specific receptors; binding is highly selective.

Post-synaptic Membrane

The receiving neuron's membrane that contains receptor sites for neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons to communicate across the synapse.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood; problems with serotonin or its receptors can relate to depression.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter linked to alertness and arousal; stimulant meds can increase its availability.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward and motivation; interacts with other neurotransmitters.

Depression Treatment

Clinical approach addressing insufficient serotonin or receptor availability by increasing serotonin receptor binding.

ADHD Treatment

Stimulant medications that increase available norepinephrine and dopamine to improve attention.

Adderall

A stimulant medication that increases norepinephrine and dopamine levels.

Epigenetics

Environmental influences that affect gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

Heritability

The extent to which traits are determined by genes in a population.

Threshold Voltage

The critical membrane potential that must be reached to initiate an action potential.

Homeostasis

The body's tendency to maintain a balanced, resting state.