Biopsychology

• What bodily functions do neurotransmitters help control?

  Immunity, movement, sensations, memory, mood, emotions

  
• Name a type of excitatory neurotransmitter.

  Glutamate

  
• What is the function of GABA?

  It acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter

  
• What does the myelin sheath do?

  Protects axon and speeds up transmission
• How do sensory neurons differ from motor neurons?

  Sensory neurons carry messages to the CNS
• What are the types of neurons and their functions?

  • Sensory Neurons: Carry messages from PNS to CNS
  • Relay Neurons: Connect sensory neurons to motor neurons
  • Motor Neurons: Connect CNS to muscles and glands

  
• What is the role of dendrites in a neuron?

  Carry nerve impulses towards the cell body

  
• What happens when a neuron is activated by a stimulus?

  The inside of the cell becomes positively charged
• What is the term for the electrical impulse in a neuron?

  Action potential
• What is synaptic transmission?

  Process where one neuron communicates with another

  
• What triggers the release of neurotransmitters?

  Electrical impulse reaching the presynaptic terminal

  
• How do neurotransmitters cross the synapse?

  They diffuse across the synaptic cleft

  
• What is the role of summation in neuron firing?

  It determines if the neuron will fire
• What do SSRIs do?

  Block reabsorption of serotonin
• How does zapurpain affect the postsynaptic cell?

  It makes the cell less likely to fire
• What are the effects of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  • Excitatory: Increase likelihood of neuron firing (e.g., adrenaline)
  • Inhibitory: Decrease likelihood of neuron firing (e.g., serotonin)

  
• What is the function of the nodes of Ranvier?

  Speed up transmission of the impulse
• How do the structures of sensory, relay, and motor neurons differ?

  Sensory: long dendrites, short axons

  
• What is the role of terminal buttons in a neuron?

  Communicate with the next neuron across the synapse

  
• What is the basic structure shared by all neurons?

  Cell body, dendrites, axon

  
• What happens to neurotransmitters after they cross the synapse?

  They are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron

  
• How does the presence of inhibitory neurotransmitters affect brain activity?

  It reduces brain activity and induces calm
• What is the significance of the resting state of a neuron?

  It is negatively charged compared to outside
• What is the role of the nucleus in a neuron?

  Contains genetic material of the cell
• What is the function of the axon in a neuron?

  Carries impulses away from the cell body
• How does the structure of a neuron facilitate its function?

  Long axons and dendrites allow efficient signal transmission

  
• What is the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

  They transmit signals between neurons

  
• What is the effect of excitation on a postsynaptic neuron?

  Increases likelihood of neuron firing

  
• What is the role of the synaptic cleft?

  Gap between neurons for neurotransmitter diffusion

  
• What is the primary function of relay neurons?

  Connect sensory neurons to motor neurons

  
• How do drugs like cocaine affect neurotransmitter systems?

  They mimic the effects of neurotransmitters
• What is the relationship between neurotransmitters and mood regulation?

  Neurotransmitters influence mood and emotions
• What is the significance of the action potential in neuron function?

  It triggers the transmission of signals

  
• What is the role of the presynaptic terminal?

  Releases neurotransmitters into the synapse

  
• What happens during the process of excitation in neurotransmission?

  Positive charge increases in the postsynaptic neuron

  
• How does summation affect the likelihood of neuron firing?

  It combines positive and negative potentials

  
• What is the effect of inhibitory neurotransmitters on the postsynaptic neuron?

  Decreases likelihood of neuron firing

  
• What is the primary role of motor neurons?

  Connect CNS to muscles and glands
• How do neurotransmitters influence the reflex arc?

  They transmit signals that initiate reflex actions
• What is the impact of drugs on synaptic transmission?

  They can enhance or inhibit neurotransmitter effects