Bioloigcal Psychology 3.0 I can't make flashcard

Neurons

Specialized for communication using electrical and chemical signals.

Glia

“Nerve glue’”; non-electrical cells that support neuronal signaling, provide nutrients, and guide neurons in development.

Gene expression

Defines the type and functions of cells in the nervous system.

Brain energy use

The brain is 2% of body mass but uses 25% of daily energy production.

Has ~86 billion neurons.

Human brain neurons

Synapses

The locations where communication between neurons occurs.

Afferent

Message towards brain and sensory neurons

Sensory neurons

Carry information to the CNS

Efferent

Message away from brain.

Motor neurons

Carry information from the CNS to the muscles

Interneurons

Message between neurons.

Dendrites

Parts of a neuron that receive signals from other cells.

Cell body (soma)

The main part of a neuron containing the cell's central components.

Axon

Part of a neuron through which electrical signals spread.

Axon terminals

Parts of a neuron where transmitter release is triggered.

Node of Ranvier

Gaps in myelin where ion channels are densely packed.

Myelin sheath

A covering that wraps around and insulates an axon.

Glial cell types

Astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells.

Astrocytes

Cells involved in development, energy and metabolism, synaptic functions, and maintenance of the blood brain barrier.

Microglia

The “immune system” in the brain; eliminate synapses and provide signaling to other cells.

Oligodendrocytes

Myelinate the central nervous system.

Schwann cells

Myelinate the peripheral nervous system.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Peripheral motor and sensory nerves.

Somatic nervous system

Includes sensory nerves that carry information to the CNS and motor nerves that carry information from the CNS to the muscles.

Sensory nerves

Carry information to the CNS.

Motor nerves

Carry information from the CNS to the muscles.

Autonomic nervous system

Division responsible for involuntary functions and includes sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Sympathetic

Fight or flight response.

Parasympathetic

Rest and digest.

Cranial nerves

12 nerve pairs that enter and exit directly from the brain and innervate the face, head and neck, plus the vagus nerve.

Neural circuit

A group of neurons connected by synapses that process specific types of information.

Patellar reflex

Stretch of the patellar tendon causes the quadriceps muscle to stretch, sensory nerves send a signal to the spinal cord, and motor neurons cause the quadriceps to contract.

Bilateral symmetry

Left and right hemispheres of the brain and spinal cord are nearly mirror images.

Brain hemispheres

Despite similar appearance, the left and right sides are not identical in function.

Split brain

A condition used to demonstrate differences in function between the left and right hemispheres.

Meninges

Protective layer around the brain and spinal cord.

Dorsal horn

Contains sensory interneurons

Ventral horn

Contains motor neurons.

Dorsal & Ventral root

A bundle through which axons emerge from the spinal cord.

Mixed nerve

Formed when dorsal and ventral roots merge.

Spinal cord tracts

Carry sensory and motor information to and from the brain.

Spinal nerves

31 pairs of nerve bundles containing many axons that exit between vertebrae.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Cushions and protects the brain and exchanges material between blood and brain.

Choroid plexus

A tissue found suspended in ventricles that makes cerebrospinal fluid

Ventricular system

A system in which cerebrospinal fluid is found and through which fluid flows directionally.

Subarachnoid space

A space where cerebrospinal fluid is found.

Cerebrospinal fluid flow

Lateral → 3rd → 4th → central canal.

Vascular system

Provides nutrients and energy and carries away waste.

Gray matter

Cell bodies and dendrites.

White matter

Myelinated axons.

Electrical and chemical signals

Neurons are specialized for communication using both types of signals.

7,000

A typical neuron has what number synaptic partners.

400

A typical neuron can send up to # messages per second.

Action potential

Electrical signal that spreads through a neuron across the axon and triggers transmitter release to synaptic partners.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical signal released to transfer information between neurons.

Chemical signals

Excite or inhibit action potentials in the receiving neuro

Presynaptic terminal

Axon portion involved in releasing neurotransmitter.

Postsynaptic terminal

Dendrite portion that receives neurotransmitter signals.

Synaptic cleft

Space between communicating neurons where neurotransmitter is released.

Vesicle

Structure that stores transmitter before release.

Receptor

A structure that binds a specific neurotransmitter.

Presynaptic neuron

Stores transmitter in vesicles.

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter that can excite neurons.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that can inhibit neurons.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that can excite, inhibit, or modulate neuronal activity.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that can excite, inhibit, or modulate neuronal activity.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that can excite, inhibit, or modulate neuronal activity.

Excitatory post-synaptic potential EPSP

A brief electrical change to excite a neuron, making an action potential more likely.

Inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP)

A brief electrical change to inhibit a neuron, making an action potential less likely.

Transmitter release

An action potential initiates the release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft

Postsynaptic receptor binding

Transmitter binds to post-synaptic receptors and produces an electrical change

Transmitter breakdown

After the action potential has ended, all transmitter has been broken down

Resting return

If the post-synaptic neuron did not reach threshold, it returns to rest.

Electrical synapse

A connexon physically bridges two neurons and allows both electrical signals and small molecules to pass between the neurons in both directions

Connexon

Physically bridges two neurons.

Threshold

The electrical potential that must be reached to trigger an action potential.

Firing frequency

The frequency of action potentials used to encode information

Sensory neuron response to light touch

Generates an action potential.

Sensory neuron response to strong touch

Generates action potentials more frequently.

Spontaneous firing

A motor neuron can be spontaneously active.

Inhibitory input

Causes a spontaneously active motor neuron to fire action potentials less frequently.

Excitatory input

Causes a spontaneously active motor neuron to fire action potentials more frequently.

Simple reflex circuit

Toe sensory neuron → spine interneuron → motor neuron that controls skeletal muscle in the foot.

Sub-threshold touch

Light touch produces only spontaneous motor neuron firing.

Strong toe pinch

Produces strong activity in the interneuron, more motor neuron firing, muscle contraction, and foot withdrawal.

Parallel processing

Information spreads along multiple pathways.

Feedback

Neurons influence their own inputs.

Balance

Excitation vs inhibition.

Reverberatory activity

Allows neurons to stay active for longer periods of time.

Working memory

Can be maintained through reverberatory activity.

Divergent connections

A small number of neurons broadcast a message to a large number of recipients.

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons

An example of neurons involved in divergent connections.

Convergent connections

Many different neurons send signals to a small number of recipient neurons.

Volt

Unit used to measure electrical potential.

Current

The flow of charge over time.

Amp

Unit used to measure current.

Conductance

The more channels open, the higher the conductance.

Siemens

Unit used to measure conductance.

Membrane potential

Electrical potential measured inside cells relative to outside.