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What type of neural cell provides structure, insulation, and waste removal for neurons?
What is a glial cell?
What type of neural cell transmits information through electrical and chemical signals?
What is a neuron?
What is the name of the automatic response that occurs when you touch something hot?
What is a reflex?
Which neuron carries messages from sensory receptors to the central nervous system?
What is a sensory neuron?
What is a sensory neuron?
Which term refers to the electrical signal that travels down the axon?
What is an action potential?
What does the process of reuptake involve?
The reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron after they are released into the synapse.
What happens during the resting potential of a neuron?
The neuron is polarized and ready to fire but is not currently transmitting a signal.
Which neurons connect sensory and motor neurons within the spinal cord?
What are interneurons?
What is the all-or-nothing principle in neural firing?
A neuron either fires completely or not at all—there is no partial firing.
Which part of the neuron receives incoming messages?
What are dendrites?
A person touches a hot pan and pulls away before realizing it. Which three types of neurons are involved in this reflex arc?
What are sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons?
What would happen if glial cells failed to remove waste from neurons?
Neurons could become damaged or die, disrupting communication in the brain.
How does the all-or-nothing principle affect the strength of a neural impulse?
The strength of the stimulus determines whether the neuron fires or not.
Why is the reflex arc considered a protective mechanism?
Because it allows for quick, automatic responses without waiting for signals from the brain.
What might happen if the reuptake process is blocked by a drug? (antagonist)
Neurotransmitters remain in the synapse longer, intensifying or prolonging their effects.
Explain how depolarization leads to the firing of a neuron.
Depolarization occurs when the neuron’s membrane potential becomes less negative, reaching the threshold and triggering an action potential.
A person has damage to their motor neurons. What behavior or ability would be most affected?
Voluntary muscle movement, such as walking or grasping.
What role do interneurons play in speeding up reaction times in emergencies?
They allow the spinal cord to process reflexes without sending signals all the way to the brain.
Describe how multiple sclerosis (MS) disrupts normal neural transmission.
MS damages the myelin sheath, slowing or blocking the transmission of signals along neurons.
Why are glial cells considered essential to efficient neural communication?
They support neurons by insulating them (myelin), clearing waste, and aiding in communication and repair.
Describe the complete path of neural transmission from stimulus to response using the reflex arc.
A stimulus activates sensory neurons, which send signals to interneurons in the spinal cord, which activate motor neurons to produce a response.
How could disruption in the refractory period affect neural signaling?
If the neuron does not return to its resting state, it cannot fire again, disrupting ongoing communication.
A person’s ability to feel pain remains intact, but they cannot move in response. Which neuron type is likely damaged?
Motor neurons.
How could malfunctioning reuptake mechanisms contribute to mental health disorders like depression?
If neurotransmitters like serotonin are reabsorbed too quickly, it may reduce their effect, contributing to symptoms like low mood.
Explain how a coordinated behavior (like catching a ball) would involve neurons, glial cells, and the steps of neural transmission.
Sensory neurons detect the ball; interneurons process the information; motor neurons direct muscle movement; glial cells support communication; action potentials fire following the all-or-nothing principle, using depolarization and synaptic transmission.