Biology and Behavior: Neurons and Neurotransmitters Pt 1

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering brain anatomy, neuronal communication, and specific neurotransmitters based on lecture notes.

What is the name of the field that studies the brain and the rest of the nervous system?

Neuroscience

Which specific subfield of psychology examines how biological systems shape thoughts, emotions, and behaviors?

Biological psychology

The nervous system uses which two types of signals to send messages throughout the body?

Electrical signals and chemical signals

What are the specialized cells designed specifically to send messages within the nervous system?

Neurons

Approximately how many neurons are found in the human brain?

$100$ billion

The neurons in the brain are connected through an estimated number of how many links?

$100$ trillion

Which part of the neuron acts as the headquarters and contains the nucleus?

The cell body

What are the branch-like structures that reach out from the cell body to receive messages from other neurons?

Dendrites

What is the long, thin tube that carries messages away from the cell body?

The axon

What are the branches at the end of an axon called where messages are passed to the next cell?

Axon terminals

What is the name of the fatty coating that insulates axons to help messages travel faster?

Myelin sheath

What are the gaps in the myelin sheath that help the electrical signal jump along the axon?

Nodes of Ranvier

What is the term for the place where communication occurs between neurons?

The synapse

How wide is the synaptic gap according to the transcript?

$$0.000127\,mm$$

How many synaptic gaps would need to be stacked together to equal the thickness of a single sheet of printer paper?

$$800$$

What are the special chemicals used by neurons to communicate with each other?

Neurotransmitters

What is the name of the electrical signal that travels down the axon to the terminals?

Action potential

What are the little sacs that release neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap?

Vesicles

Where do neurotransmitters land on the dendrites of the receiving neuron?

Receptor sites

The process of a neurotransmitter fitting into a receptor site is compared to what?

A key fitting into a lock

What is the process called when neurotransmitters are taken back into the original neuron to be recycled?

Reuptake

What is the process called when neurotransmitters simply drift away from the synapse?

Diffusion

What was the first neurotransmitter discovered by scientists?

Acetylcholine

The primary job of acetylcholine is to send messages to which part of the body to make movement possible? What is it involved with?

Muscles Involved in memory and learning

What happens if there is too much ACH?

Muscle Spasms

What happens when there is too little ACH?

Paralysis

Low levels of acetylcholine in the brain are linked to which disease?

Alzheimer's disease (memory, language, thinking problems)

What type of neurotransmitter is glutamate, which functions to kick neurons into action? (makes them fire)

Excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a key role in cognitive functions such as learning and memory.

Too much glutamate activity is linked to what specific health problem?

Strokes

Too little glutamate activity is linked to what specific health problem?

May contribute to schizophrenia symptom

What type of neurotransmitter is GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), which functions to put the brakes on neuron activity?

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

GABA is especially important for controlling sleep and wakefulness and regulating which two emotions?

Fear and anxiety

What are the effects of having problems with GABA activity?

Can lead to increased anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and other mood disorders, due to the loss of inhibitory control over neuron excitability.

Which neurotransmitter prepares the body for stressful situations and helps regulate arousal and attention? What does it help maintain?

Norepinephrine helps maintain attention and alertness

What imbalances/disruptions can high levels of Norepinephrine have?

Overarousal, hypervigilance, difficulty thinking and focusing

What are the naturally produced chemicals that work like opioids and are released in response to pain?

Endorphins

The word "endorphin" is a combination of which two terms?

Endogenous and morphine

Which neurotransmitter helps regulate appetite, mood, aggression, sleep, and breathing?

Serotonin

What does the acronym SSRI stand for in the context of antidepressant medications?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

How do SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft increase serotonin's effects?

They block the reuptake process so serotonin stays in the synapse longer

Which neurotransmitter is involved in the brain's pleasure circuit, reward-based learning, and body movements?

Dopamine

In Parkinson's disease, the deterioration of neurons that produce which neurotransmitter leads to movement disruption?

Dopamine

Which chemical is unique because it can act as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone involved in romantic love?

Oxytocin

According to research, when are oxytocin levels usually very high in a relationship?

In the first few months

According to the transcript, why does the euphoria of early love also come with stress?

The stress reflects the risk of losing the relationship