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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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neurotransmitters |
chemical messengers that transmits signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse |
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target cell |
may be a neuron or some other kind of cell |
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chemical synaptic transmission |
the use of release chemical neurotransmitters to propagate signals from one neuron (presynaptic) to another (postsynaptic) |
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synaptic cleft |
two cells are separated by the __________, a gap of approximately 40mm between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes |
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axon vesicles |
synaptic cleft receptors receiving neuron (presynaptic knob, postsynaptic knob) a schematic representation of a chemical synapse |
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synapse |
used to describe the whole of this structural arrangement, compromising the cell, providing the information and the cell receiving it |
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presynaptic cell |
the cell bringing the information to the synapse, and which the terminals are part of |
input cell |
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postsynaptic cell |
the one that receives the information and acts as the output from the synapse |
output cell |
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postsynaptic neuron |
"computing" all of its inputs to determine its own activity; it is this property that gives the human brain its incredible computational power |
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neurotransmitters |
the chemical substance that can be released in this way are chemically rather diverse and so are collectively known as _________ to reflect their functions |
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monoamines, amino acids, and peptides |
in some instances, neurotransmitters are simply divided into: |
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acetylcholine (ACh) |
- first neurotransmitter to be discovered - responsible for stimulation of muscles, including the muscles of the gastrointestinal system. - used everywhere in the brain - related to Alzheimer's disease |
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dopamine |
- associated with reward mechanism in brain - involved in regulatory motor activity, in mood, motivation, and attention. - schizophrenics have too much _____ - patients with parkinson's disease have too less _____ |
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norepinephrine (noradrenaline) |
- synthesized directly from dopamine - strongly associated with bringing our nervous systems into "high alert" - it increases our heart rate and our blood pressure - it is also important for forming memories |
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glutamate |
it is an amino acid. it's the most commonly found excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. - involved in most aspects of normal brain function including cognition, memory and learning - most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain |
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amino butyric acid (GABA) |
synthesized directly from glutamate - most important inhibitory neurotransmitter - present in high concentrations in the CNS, preventing the brain from becoming overexcited - if lacking in certain parts of the brain, epilepsy results |
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serotonin |
hormone and neurotransmitter - plays an important role in regulating and modulating mood, sleep, anxiety, sexuality, and appetite. |
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selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) |
work to balance serotonin levels by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, which can help improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety |
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endorphins |
inhibit the transmission of pain signals and promote feelings of euphoria. - experiencing a "runner's high" is an example of pleasurable feelings generated by the production of _____. |
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histamine |
this organic compound acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord - plays a role in allergic reactions and is produced as part of the immune system's response to pathogens |
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Alzheimer's |
a progressive neurologic disorder that causes brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die - most common cause of dementia |
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dementia |
a continuous decline in thinking behavioral and social skills that affects a person's ability to function independently |
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parkinson's disease |
a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination |
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D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) |
a novel neurotransmitter that could potentially be used in the fight against neurological diseases such as parkinson's and schizophrenia |
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dopamine |
doses of a neurotransmitter _______ might offer a way to boost effectiveness of anticancer drugs and radiation therapy |
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schizophrenia |
a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally - may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling - require lifelong treatment |
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depression |
a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physiological problems |
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epilepsy |
a disorder of the brain characterized by repeated seizures |
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seizure |
defined as a sudden alteration of behavior due to a temporary change on the electrical functioning of the brain |
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migraine |
is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. - have symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick, and increased sensitivity to light or sound - common health condition |
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