Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident
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.
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.
Define 'Neuron'.
Fundamental unit of the nervous system; transmits information via electrical and chemical signals.
What is 'Dendrite'?
Neuron part that receives signals from other neurons.
Define 'Axon'.
Neuron part that transmits signals away from the cell body.
What is 'Myelin Sheath'?
Fatty layer insulating the axon, speeding up signal transmission.
Define 'Terminal Branches'.
Ends of the axon that release neurotransmitters.
What is 'Resting Potential'?
Neuron's state when waiting for a signal (-70mV).
Define 'Threshold'.
Minimum stimulation needed to trigger an action potential.
What is 'Action Potential'?
Rapid change in electrical charge traveling down the axon.
Define 'Refractory Period'.
Brief resting period after firing where the neuron can't fire.
What are 'Neurotransmitters'?
Chemical messengers that communicate between neurons.
Define 'Synapse'.
Tiny gap between neurons where communication occurs.
What is 'Reuptake'?
Reabsorption of excess neurotransmitters by the sending neuron.
Define 'Agonists'.
Substances that mimic neurotransmitters, activating receptor sites.
What are 'Antagonists'?
Substances that block neurotransmitters, preventing activation.