The end of a neuron is a ____.
Synapse
What do microglia do?
Act as the immune system within the blood-brain barrier.
What is the resting potential voltage?
-70 mv
What is the neurotransmitter serotonin used for?
Used for mood regulation and happiness
What are the groups of cell bodies next to the spinal cord called?
Ganglion
The cell that wraps around the axon in peripheral neurons is the:
Neurilemmocytes
What cells build the blood-brain barrier?
Astrocytes
What happens during depolarization?
K+ ions enter the cell, Na+ ions leave the cell and the cell membrane becomes more positive.
What is the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) used for?
Muscle contraction, learning, memory
What is the most superior part of the spinal cord called?
Cervical nerves
The cell that wraps around axons in the central nervous system is:
Oligodendrocytes
What makes cerebrospinal fluid?
Ependymal cells
What is the threshold voltage?
-55 mV
What triggers neurotransmitter release into the synapse?
Ca2+ ions entering the axon terminal during an action potential
What does the cerebellum do?
Controls proprioception, balance, and coordination
The space between the myelin sheath on the axon is the:
Node of Ranvier
What do satellite cells do?
Bring cells supplies like neurotransmitters and food.
What happens during the refractory period?
The ions Na+ and K+ return to their original positions, the cell membrane becomes hyperpolarized before returning to resting.
What do neurotransmitters do when they are released into the synaptic cleft?
They bind to receptors on the next cell and transfer the action potential to that cell, causing Ca2+ to enter that cell.
What is the function of the pineal gland?
Produces melatonin for sleep
Epidurals are an anesthetic shot many people choose during childbirth. It stops people from feeling anything below the injection point. Where is the epidural injected?
Into the cerebrospinal fluid around the dura mater in the thoracic spinal cord.
What does the blood-brain barrier do? Why is it important?
Astrocytes separate the blood from the brain and let very few things through, like gases and nutrients. This protects the brain from damage by wastes, diseases, and poisons.
What would happen if someone is deficient in electrolytes like K+ and Na+?
They may have difficulty contracting their muscles, they may not be able to use their muscles for longer periods of time, and they may fatigue and get tired easily.
What are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)? How do they work?
SSRIs are a group of anti-anxiety and antidepressant medicines that block neurotransmitter reuptake channels at the synapse to keep serotonin in the synaptic cleft for longer, extending its effect.
What are the 3 meninges, where are they, and what do each of them do?
Dura mater: most superficial layer. Very tough to protect the brain from physical damage.
Arachnoid mater: Deep to dura mater. Fibrous and web-like tissue that creates space for cerebrospinal fluid to protect from physical damage.
Pia mater: Deepest layer. Closest to the brain and very vascular to provide brain with blood.