Neuron Structure
What part of the neuron receives messages from other neurons?
Dendrites
What is the name of the gap between two neurons?
Synapse
What neurotransmitter is associated with feelings of happiness and mood regulation?
Serotonin
What is the electrical charge of a neuron during its resting potential?
Negative inside (-70mV).
Low levels of which neurotransmitter are linked to depression?
Serotonin
What part of the neuron sends messages away from the cell body?
Axon
What process occurs when neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron?
Reuptake
What neurotransmitter is linked to movement and reward systems?
Dopamine
What ions flow into the neuron during depolarization?
Sodium (Na+).
What disorder is associated with high levels of dopamine?
Schizophrenia
What is the name of the fatty layer that speeds up neural impulses?
Myelin Sheath
What type of signal triggers a neuron to fire: excitatory or inhibitory?
Excitatory
What is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
GABA
What term describes the brief time when a neuron cannot fire after an action potential?
Refractory period.
What disorder is caused by the destruction of the myelin sheath?
Multiple sclerosis.
What part of the neuron contains the nucleus and organelles?
Cell body (soma)
What happens to the neurotransmitters after they cross the synapse and bind to receptors?
They either are broken down or reabsorbed (reuptake).
Which neurotransmitter is the most common excitatory one in the brain?
Glutamate
What happens during repolarization?
Potassium (K+) ions flow out, restoring the resting charge.
What condition is caused by low dopamine levels in the motor pathways?
Parkinson's disease.
What happens to the speed of neural impulses if the myelin sheath is damaged?
Neural impulses slow down or stop, as seen in multiple sclerosis.
What principle explains that a neuron either fires completely or not at all?
All-or-None Response.
What neurotransmitter is affected in Alzheimer's disease?
Acetylcholine
What is the threshold value that must be reached for a neuron to fire?
About -55mV.
Which neurotransmitter is overactive in anxiety disorders?
Glutamate