Term Quiz 3
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44 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Agonist | An agent that binds to receptors and enhances or mimics the effect of a natural neurotransmitter. |
| Metabotropic Receptors | Type of neurotransmitter receptor that contains a neurotransmitter binding site but lacks an ion channel as part of its structure. |
| SSRls (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors | Drugs that provide relief from some forms of depression. |
| Postsynaptic Potential | Change in membrane voltage as ions flow through opened channels. |
| EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential) | Depolarizing postsynaptic potential. |
| Action Potentials | Allow communication over long distances within the body. |
| Electrochemical Gradient | Concentration (chemical) difference plus an electrical difference which allow specific ions to move across the plasma membrane. |
| Catecholamines | Include an amino acid group and a catechol ring; synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine. |
| Voltage Gated Channel | Opens in response to a change in membrane potential (voltage) |
| Anterior Root | Conduct nerve impulses from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands) |
| Decremental Conduction | Mode of travel which graded potentials die out as they spread along the membrane. |
| Leak Ion Channel | Gates which randomly alternate between open and closed positions. |
| Excitotoxicity | Caused by high level of glutamate in the interstitial fluid of the CNS. |
| Posterior Root | Contain only sensory axons; conduct nerve impulses from sensory receptors in the skin, muscles, and internal organs into the CNS. |
| C Fibers | Smallest diameter axons; unmyelinated; longest absolute refractory period. |
| IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential) | Hyperpolarizing Postsynaptic Potential. |
| Presynaptic Neuron | Nerve cell that carries a nerve impulse toward a synapse. |
| Postsynaptic Neuron | Cell that carries a nerve impulse away from a synapse or an effector cell that responds to the impulse at the synapse. |
| Summation | Process by which graded potentials add together. |
| Temporal Summation | Summation of postsynaptic potentials in response to stimuli that occur at the same location in the membrane of the postsynaptic cell but at different times. |
| Graded Potential | Small deviation from the membrane potential that makes the membrane either more polarized or less polarized. |
| Ionotropic Receptors | Type of neurotransmitter receptor that contains a neurotransmitter binding site and an ion channel. |
| Spinal Tap | Local anesthetic given as a long hollow needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes. |
| Threshold | An action potential occurs in the membrane of the axon of a neuron when depolarization reaches a certain level. |
| All-or-none Principle | An action potential is generated in response to a threshold stimulus but does not form when there is a subthreshold stimulus. |
| Refractory Period | The period of time after an action potential in an excited cell cannot generate another action potential in response to a normal threshold stimulus. |
| Anterior Gray Horn | Contain somatic motor nuclei. |
| Synaptic Cleft | Space of 20-50 mm filled with interstitial fluid which separate chemical synapses. |
| Local Anesthetics | Drugs that block pain and other somatic sensations. |
| Saltatory Conduction | Special mode of action potential propagation that occurs along myelinated axon. |
| Antagonist | An agent that binds to and blocks neurotransmitter receptors. |
| Nitric Oxide | Important excitatory neurotransmitter secreted in the brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, and nerves to the penis; contains single N atoms. |
| Neural Divergence | Permits one presynaptic neuron to influence several postsynaptic neurons at the same time. |
| Neural Convergence | Several presynaptic neurons synapse with a single postsynaptic neuron. |
| Spatial Summation | Summation of post-synaptic potentials in response to stimuli that occur at different locations in the membrane of a postsynaptic cell at the same time. |
| Hyperpolarizing | When the response makes the membrane more polarized. |
| A Fibers | Largest diameter axons; myelinated; brief absolute refractory period, conduct nerve impulses. |
| Posterior Gray Horns | Contains cell bodies and axons of interneurons as well as axons of incoming sensory neurons. |
| Plasticity | The capability to change based on experience. |
| GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) | found only in the CNS; most common inhibitory neurotransmitter. |
| Glutamate | Amino acid which is a neurotransmitter in the CNS. |
| Acetylcholine | Best-studied neurotransmitter which is released by many PNS neurons and some CNS neurons. |
| Depolarizing | When the response makes a membrane less polarized. |
| Ligand Gated Channel | Opens and closes in response to the binding of a chemical stimulus. |
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