Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /GRE® Psychology Biological: Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience Part 1
GRE® Psychology Biological: Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience Part 1
This flashcard deck covers key concepts in physiological and behavioral neuroscience, focusing on the structure and function of neurons, neurotransmitters, and the nervous system.
What is neuroanatomy?
It relates to the parts and functions of individual nerve cells, known as neurons.
Tap or swipe ↕ to flip
Swipe ←→Navigate
1/25
Key Terms
Term
Definition
What is neuroanatomy?
It relates to the parts and functions of individual nerve cells, known as neurons.
What is a neuron?
A specialized cell in the nervous system responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.
Name the parts of a neuron.
1. dendrites 2. cell body/soma 3. axon hillock 4. axon 5. myelin sheath 6. nodes of Ranvier 7. terminal buttons 8. neurotransmitters 9. synapse/synapt...
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: dendrite
These are branch-like arms attached to the cell body that receive information from other neurons.
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: cell body/soma
It is the “brain” of the neuron, making up gray matter, and containing the nucleus.
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: axon hillock
The part of a neuron where incoming signals from the dendrites and cell body are integrated. If the combined input reaches the threshold, the axon hil...
Related Flashcard Decks
Study Tips
- Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
- Review cards regularly to improve retention
- Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
- Share this deck with friends to study together
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is neuroanatomy? | It relates to the parts and functions of individual nerve cells, known as neurons. |
What is a neuron? | A specialized cell in the nervous system responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. |
Name the parts of a neuron. | 1. dendrites 2. cell body/soma 3. axon hillock 4. axon 5. myelin sheath 6. nodes of Ranvier 7. terminal buttons 8. neurotransmitters 9. synapse/synaptic cleft |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: dendrite | These are branch-like arms attached to the cell body that receive information from other neurons. |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: cell body/soma | It is the “brain” of the neuron, making up gray matter, and containing the nucleus. |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: axon hillock | The part of a neuron where incoming signals from the dendrites and cell body are integrated. If the combined input reaches the threshold, the axon hillock generates an action potential, which then travels down the axon. |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: axon | These are tube-like structures that transmit information (via electrical impulse) from the cell body to the terminal buttons. |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: myelin sheath | The fatty layer around some axons that insulates the electric impulse and allows information to travel faster from the cell body to the terminal buttons. The myelin sheath also acts as insulation so that signals don’t travel to every adjacent neuron, but just to the intended neuron(s). |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: terminal buttons | It is where information from the axon ends up, and contain neurotransmitters. |
What are synonyms for “terminal buttons”? | • end buttons • synaptic knobs • axon terminals • terminal branches of axons |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: neurotransmitters | These are chemicals in the axon terminals that attempt to communicate with dendrites on other neurons. Neurotransmitters must “fit” with dendritic receptor sites, like a key in a lock, to continue to the next neuron. |
Explain the function of the following part of a neuron: synapse | It is also called the synaptic cleft, is the gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the information-seeking dendrite of the next neuron. The end of the first neuron is the presynaptic cell, and the beginning of the next neuron is the postsynaptic cell. |
True or false: Chemicals travel within the cells, but are transmitted to other neurons electrically. | False Within the cells, information is transmitted as an electric signal, but when it reaches the axon terminal, it is converted into chemicals that move between one neuron and the next. |
Can a neuron’s action potential vary in magnitude? | No. An action potential is an all-or-none event — once threshold is reached, it always fires at the same size. |
How is an action potential (or nerve impulse) created? | Positively or negatively charged chemical signals enter the dendrite and move to the cell body, which is slightly negatively charged. If these chemical signals depolarize the cell body enough, an action potential will occur, which will fire electrical information down the axon to the axon terminal. |
Fill in the blanks: Some __________ are excitatory, prodding the cell body to fire, and others are __________, which prevent the creation of a cell’s action potential. | neurotransmitters; inhibitory |
Describe the path of information within a neuron from beginning to end. | Dendrite (chemical signals) ⇒ cell body (become electrical signals) ⇒ axon ⇒ axon terminal (become chemical signals) ⇒ synapse ⇒ dendrite of next neuron |
Fill in the blanks: When neurotransmitters from the axon terminal are released, they attempt to connect with __________ _____ on the postsynaptic dendrite. | receptor sites |
Define: threshold | It is the level of depolarization a cell body must reach to produce an action potential. |
What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it? acetylcholine | • Function: motor movement • Problem: Alzheimer’s disease linked to acetylcholine deficit |
What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it? endorphins | • Function: pleasure and pain control • Problem: endorphins are released when pleasure areas of the brain are stimulated, so addictions are linked to endorphins |
What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it? dopamine | • Function: motor movement and alertness • Problems: Parkinson’s disease (dopamine deficiency) and schizophrenia (excessive dopamine), linked to addiction Dopamine is a monoamine, and part of the catecholamine class. |
What is the function of this neurotransmitter and what problem(s) are associated with too much/too little of it? serotonin | • Function: mood control • Problem: deficiency linked to clinical depression Serotonin is a monoamine, and part of the indolamine class. |
What is the difference between afferent and efferent neurons? | • Afferent neurons, or sensory neurons, carry information to the brain. • Efferent neurons, or motor neurons, carry information from the brain to the body. |
What are the subdivisions of the nervous system? | • central nervous system • brain and spinal cord • peripheral nervous system • somatic • autonomic • sympathetic • parasympathetic |