All Flashcards
What is the 'All-or-None Response'?
A neuron either fires completely or not at all; there's no in-between.
Explain 'Excitatory Signals'.
Signals that make a neuron more likely to fire.
Explain 'Inhibitory Signals'.
Signals that make a neuron less likely to fire.
What role does Acetylcholine (ACh) play?
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory.
What role does Dopamine play?
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.
What role does Serotonin play?
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.
What role does Norepinephrine play?
Helps control alertness and arousal.
What role does GABA play?
A major inhibitory neurotransmitter.
What role does Glutamate play?
A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory.
What role do Endorphins play?
Diminish pain perception and act as a natural sedative.
What are the key steps of neural firing?
Resting Potential, Threshold, Action Potential (Depolarization), Refractory Period.
Briefly describe the process of synaptic transmission.
Neurotransmitters are released from terminal branches, cross the synapse, and bind to receptors on the receiving neuron.
How is the understanding of neurotransmitters used in treating depression?
Antidepressants often raise serotonin levels to improve mood.
How do drugs that affect dopamine levels impact conditions like schizophrenia and Parkinson's?
Excess dopamine is linked to schizophrenia; dopamine deficiency is linked to Parkinson's.
How does an agonist affect neural communication?
Agonists mimic neurotransmitters, thus activating receptor sites.
How does an antagonist affect neural communication?
Antagonists block neurotransmitters, thus preventing activation.