neuron quiz

nature vs. nurture

all things psychological are simultaneously biological

• Darwin’s Role

• Natural Selection

• Mutation

• Evolutionary Psychology

• Behavior genetics

evolutionary psychology

boils down the cause of our adapting behavior through generations to our need to survive and reproduce

cellular structure

• 46 chromosomes = all cells except reproductive

• 23 chromosomes in sperm/egg cells

• found in the nucleus

• contains DNA

heritability

• tells us NOTHING about individuals

• an ESTIMATE of variation in a population

• a correlation between nature and nurture in a population

twin studies

What two systems make up the nervous system?

central nervous system & peripheral nervous system

What makes up the central nervous system?

brain & spinal chord

What two systems make up the peripheral nervous system?

somatic nervous system & autonomic nervous system

What two systems make up the autonomic nervous system?

sympathetic nervous system & parasympathetic nervous system

What is the function of the dendrites?

receive messages from other cells

What is the function of the cell body?

the cell’s life-support center

What is the function of the axon?

passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands

What is the function of the terminal branches of axon?

form junctions with other cells

What is the function of the neural impulse?

action potential; electrical signal travelling down the axon

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

What is represented by number 1?

dendrites

What is represented by number 2?

cell body

What is represented by number 3?

axon

What is represented by number 4?

myelin sheath

What is represented by number 5?

terminal branches of axon

What is represented by the blue arrow?

neural impulse

What is represented by number 1?

anaxonic neuron

What is represented by number 2?

bipolar neuron; interneuron/afferent

What is represented by number 3?

unipolar neuron; sensory

What is represented by number 4?

multipolar neuron; motor/efferent

The neural chain

• interneurons make reflexes happen

• bypass the brain at first-avoid severe burns

Creating an action potential

changes in potential (movement of sodium [+] and potassium [-]) lead to the inside of the neuron becoming less negative, relative to the outside.

this is how a neuron fires!

reuptake

excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed, drift away, or are broken down by enzymes

• occurs at the synapse

• action potential

  • changes in electrical voltage

  • produces a neural impulse

• neurotransmitter

  • molecules are released into the synaptic cleft and bind to the receptor sites on the receiving neuron

• the receiving neuron becomes more likely to fire or less likely to fire

What are the functions and malfunctions of acetylcholine (ach)?

function: enables muscle action, learning and memory

malfunctions: alzheimer’s disease, ACH-producing neurons deteriorate

What are the functions and malfunctions of dopamine?

functions: influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

malfunctions: excess dopamine receptor activity linked to schizophrenia. Starved of dopamine, the brain produces the tremors and decreased mobility of Parkinson’s Disease.

What are the functions and malfunctions of seratonin?

function: affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal

malfunction: undersupply linked to depression; prozac and some other antidepressant drugs raise serotonin levels

What are the functions of norepinephrine?

functions: helps control alertness and arousal

malfunction: undersupply can depress mood

What are the functions and malfunctions of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)?

function: a major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

malfunction: undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

What are the functions and malfunctions of glutamate?

functions: a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory.

malfunctions: oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures (this is why some people avoid MSG, monosodium, glutumate in food)

What is represented by number 1?

soma

What is represented by number 2?

axon

What is represented by number 3?

axon terminal

direction of travel of action potential

what are agonists?

mimic the action of neurotransmitters

what are antagonists?

oppose the effects of a neurotransmitter, or block its effects

what is morphine?

• Often acts as a neuromodulator

  • chemicals that increase or decrease the effectiveness of neurotransmitters

what are endorphines?

• The brain has systems for releasing endorphins under extreme conditions of stress or exercion

  • Runner’s high