Biopsych

What is biology?

The study of life and living organisms.

What is psychology?

The study of the mind and behavior.

What is biopsychology?

A branch of psychology concerned with the biological aspects of behavior.

What is the primary system involved in behavior?

the nervous system

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What type of cells make up the nervous system?

Specialized cells called neurons.

What do neurons do?

Transmit messages throughout the body and control both conscious and unconscious functions.

What is the most complex organ in the body?

the brain

What role does the brain play in the nervous system?

It acts as the "command center."

What is the brain made of?

Neurons, glial cells, blood vessels, water, fat, proteins, etc.

Do different areas of the brain have different functions?

Yes.

What is the smallest unit of life?

The cell

What makes up all body systems?

Cells.

What are cells composed of?

Organelles, each with specific functions.

What is the functional unit of the nervous system?

The neuron

Which organelles are important in neurons?

Nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, ribosomes.

What are the four main divisions of a neuron?

Input zone, integration zone, conduction zone, and output zone

What is the input zone?

collects and processes info

What is the integration zone?

decides whether to produce a signal

What is the conduction zone?

electrically transmits info over long distances

What is the output zone?

passes info to other cells

Do all neurons have the same role?

No, neurons have different roles.

How much can neuron size vary?

From a few micrometers to several meters.

What are the three structural types of neurons?

Multipolar, bipolar, and unipolar.

What is a multipolar neuron?

a neuron with many dendrites

What is a bipolar neuron?

a neuron with only one dendrite

What is a unipolar neuron?

Has a single process extending from the cell body

What are the three functional types of neurons?

Motor neurons, interneurons, and sensory neurons.

What do motor neurons do?

carry impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands (multipolar and peripheral)

What do interneurons do?

Receive info from other neurons, process it, and send it to the next neuron (often bipolar, found in sensory systems).

What do sensory neurons (often unipolar) do?

Transmit sensory info (e.g., touch) into the spinal cord and body.

What is the function of synapses?

They allow communication between different cells.

What is the presynaptic region of a synapse?

The part that releases neurotransmitters.

What is the postsynaptic region of a synapse?

The part that receives and responds to neurotransmitters.

What is the synaptic cleft?

The tiny space between two neurons.

What are synaptic vesicles?

Small pockets that contain neurotransmitters

What is a neurotransmitter (NT)?

A chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that communicates between neurons.

What is a dendritic spine?

A site where the presynaptic neuron connects to the postsynaptic neuron; it increases dendrite surface area for more synaptic connections.

What is arborization?

the elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons

What is neuroplasticity?

The neuron's ability to change in response to experience and environment.

Where is the axon hillock located?

It projects away from the cell body ("little hill").

What does the axon hillock do?

Collects and integrates information from dendrites and decides if the neuron will send a signal.

How many axons and dendrites do neurons usually have?

Most neurons have one axon and many dendrites.

How many axons does a neuron usually have?

One, with many terminal branches.

What is the diameter of axons like?

Uniform until terminal branching.

Do axons have an axon hillock?

Yes.

Are axons usually myelinated?

Yes, usually covered with a myelin sheath.

How long can axons be?

From nearly nonexistent to several meters long.

What is the diameter of axons?

0.2-2 μm in mammals; up to 500 μm in some invertebrates.

How many dendrites does a neuron usually have?

Many.

How does the diameter of dendrites change?

They taper progressively toward the end.

Do dendrites have an axon hillock?

No

Do dendrites have a myelin sheath?

no

Are dendrites usually longer or shorter than axons?

shorter

What role does the Golgi apparatus play in axonal transport?

Loads neurotransmitters into vesicles.

What do motor proteins on vesicles do?

Walk" vesicles along axon terminals.

What is anterograde transport?

Movement away from cell body down the axon.

What is retrograde transport?

movement toward the cell body

How fast can axonal transport be?

Fast = 200-400 mm/day; slow = less than 8 mm/day.

What is rapid transmission based on?

Electrical signals from outside the neuron.

What is slower transmission based on?

Transport from inside the neuron (preparing axon terminals for new signals).

What do glial cells do?

Support neurons by providing materials, chemical signals, and structure.

What are the four main types of glial cells?

Astrocytes, microglial cells, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells.

What does "astrocyte" mean?

From "astron," meaning "star."

What do astrocytes regulate?

Blood flow and the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

What other functions do astrocytes have?

Receive synapses, talk with each other, form and prune synapses, regulate synaptic genesis and plasticity.

What are microglial cells like in function?

Immune/white blood cells for the brain.

What do microglia do?

Remove debris, aid in pain perception, and help with neuronal remodeling.

Where are oligodendrocytes found?

Only in the CNS.

What is their role?

Provide myelin for axons in the CNS.

Can one oligodendrocyte myelinate multiple axons?

Yes.

What do myelinated vs unmyelinated neurons form?

White matter (myelinated) and gray matter (unmyelinated).

How common are oligodendrocytes?

They make up about 75% of brain glial cells.

Where are Schwann cells found?

Only in the PNS.

What do Schwann cells do?

Provide myelin for one axon each.

Why can glial cells form tumors?

They continue to divide throughout life unlike neurons

What is edema?

Swelling of tissue, often seen in astrocytes.

How can astrocytes contribute to disease?

They can alter local brain chemistry, leading to disorders such as epilepsy.

How can astrocytes and microglia contribute to neurodegeneration?

They are implicated in Parkinson's, ALS, and Alzheimer's.

What disorder is linked to oligodendrocyte damage?

Multiple sclerosis (MS).

What mental illness may be triggered by loss of oligodendrocytes?

Schizophrenia.

What is anatomy?

The study of the structure and interrelationships of the body’s tissues, organs, and systems.

What is neuroanatomy?

The anatomy of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves).

What are the three main planes of the nervous system?

Sagittal (z-axis), Coronal (y-axis), Horizontal (x-axis).

What does the sagittal plane do?

Bisects the brain into right and left halves.

What does the coronal plane do?

Splits the brain into front and back parts.

What does the horizontal plane do?

Splits the brain into top and bottom parts.

What is the medial plane?

toward the midline

What is lateral?

away from the midline

What is ipsilateral?

same side of the body

What is contralateral?

opposite sides

What is afferent?

carries info into the body

What is efferent?

carries info way from a region

What is superior?

above

What is inferior?

below

What is anterior?

in front

What is posterior?

behind

What is rostral?

toward the front

What is caudal?

toward he back

What is proximal?

closer to point of reference