All Flashcards
What is the all-or-nothing principle?
A neuron either fires completely or not at all once the threshold is reached.
Explain the concept of a reflex arc.
A super-fast, automatic response to a stimulus that bypasses the brain for quick reactions.
What is the role of excitatory neurotransmitters?
They increase the chance of a neuron firing.
What is the role of inhibitory neurotransmitters?
They decrease the chance of a neuron firing.
What is the function of dopamine?
Motivation, reward, and motor control.
What is the function of acetylcholine?
Muscle contractions, learning, and memory.
What is the function of endorphins?
Natural pain relief and euphoria.
What is the 'fight-or-flight' response?
The body's reaction to a perceived threat, triggered by adrenaline.
How do reuptake inhibitors work?
They block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, prolonging their effects in the synapse.
What is addiction?
Compulsive drug use despite negative consequences, due to the brain's reward system being hijacked.
What are the effects of multiple sclerosis?
Damage to myelin impairs signal transmission, leading to motor and sensory problems.
What are the effects of Myasthenia Gravis?
Antibodies attack acetylcholine receptors, weakening muscles.
What are the effects of alcohol on the brain?
Impaired judgment, coordination, and memory due to decreased neural activity.
What are the effects of stimulants on the nervous system?
Increased neural activity and arousal, leading to alertness and energy.
What are the effects of depressants on the nervous system?
Decreased neural activity, leading to sedation and relaxation.
What are the effects of hallucinogens on perception?
Perceptual and cognitive distortions, including vivid hallucinations.
What are the effects of drug tolerance?
The brain adapts, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
What are the effects of drug addiction?
Compulsive use despite negative consequences, due to the brain's reward system being hijacked.
What are the effects of drug withdrawal?
Symptoms occur when stopping drug use as the brain readjusts to the absence of the drug.
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell that transmits information using electrical and chemical signals.
What are glial cells?
Cells that support, insulate, and protect neurons.
What is resting potential?
The negative charge inside a neuron when it is not firing.
What is the threshold?
The critical point a stimulus must reach to trigger a neuron to fire.
What is depolarization?
The process where the inside of a neuron becomes positive during an action potential.
What is the refractory period?
A short rest period after firing when a neuron cannot fire again.
What is reuptake?
The reabsorption of neurotransmitters to end the signal and prepare for the next one.
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that relay signals between neurons.
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers produced by glands that travel through the bloodstream.
What are agonists?
Substances that mimic or enhance neurotransmitter effects.
What are antagonists?
Substances that block neurotransmitter effects.
What is tolerance?
The need for higher doses of a drug to achieve the same effect.
What is withdrawal?
Symptoms that occur when stopping drug use.