The Neuron and Neural Firing - AP Psychology
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What is the function of the axon in a neuron?
What is the function of the axon in a neuron?
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Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body. The axon conducts nerve impulses from the soma to the terminal buttons.
Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body. The axon conducts nerve impulses from the soma to the terminal buttons.
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Which structure insulates axons and speeds up neural impulses?
Which structure insulates axons and speeds up neural impulses?
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Myelin sheath. Fatty white substance that wraps around axons to increase transmission speed.
Myelin sheath. Fatty white substance that wraps around axons to increase transmission speed.
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Which ion channels open during the repolarization phase of an action potential?
Which ion channels open during the repolarization phase of an action potential?
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Potassium channels. Channels that open to allow potassium efflux during membrane repolarization.
Potassium channels. Channels that open to allow potassium efflux during membrane repolarization.
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Identify the type of neuron that carries information to the central nervous system.
Identify the type of neuron that carries information to the central nervous system.
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Sensory neuron. Afferent neurons that relay information from sensory organs to the brain.
Sensory neuron. Afferent neurons that relay information from sensory organs to the brain.
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What is the primary function of neurotransmitter receptors?
What is the primary function of neurotransmitter receptors?
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Bind neurotransmitters to initiate a response. Protein structures that receive and respond to specific neurotransmitter molecules.
Bind neurotransmitters to initiate a response. Protein structures that receive and respond to specific neurotransmitter molecules.
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Which part of the neuron contains the synaptic vesicles?
Which part of the neuron contains the synaptic vesicles?
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Axon terminal. The end portion of the axon where synaptic vesicles are located.
Axon terminal. The end portion of the axon where synaptic vesicles are located.
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What is the gap between two neurons called?
What is the gap between two neurons called?
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Synapse. The junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.
Synapse. The junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.
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Identify the type of neuron that carries information to the central nervous system.
Identify the type of neuron that carries information to the central nervous system.
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Sensory neuron. Afferent neurons that relay information from sensory organs to the brain.
Sensory neuron. Afferent neurons that relay information from sensory organs to the brain.
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What is the role of motor neurons?
What is the role of motor neurons?
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Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles. Efferent neurons that carry commands from the brain to muscles and glands.
Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles. Efferent neurons that carry commands from the brain to muscles and glands.
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Name the type of neuron that connects sensory and motor neurons.
Name the type of neuron that connects sensory and motor neurons.
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Interneuron. Neurons within the CNS that process information between sensory and motor neurons.
Interneuron. Neurons within the CNS that process information between sensory and motor neurons.
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Identify the process of removing neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft.
Identify the process of removing neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft.
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Reuptake. Process where neurotransmitters are recycled back into the presynaptic neuron.
Reuptake. Process where neurotransmitters are recycled back into the presynaptic neuron.
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What is the significance of the nodes of Ranvier?
What is the significance of the nodes of Ranvier?
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Facilitate rapid conduction of nerve impulses. Gaps in myelin that allow saltatory conduction for faster signal transmission.
Facilitate rapid conduction of nerve impulses. Gaps in myelin that allow saltatory conduction for faster signal transmission.
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Which structure contains the neuron's genetic material?
Which structure contains the neuron's genetic material?
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Nucleus. Control center of the cell that houses DNA and regulates cellular functions.
Nucleus. Control center of the cell that houses DNA and regulates cellular functions.
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What is the term for the neuron's outer boundary?
What is the term for the neuron's outer boundary?
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Cell membrane. Selectively permeable barrier that controls ion movement in and out of the neuron.
Cell membrane. Selectively permeable barrier that controls ion movement in and out of the neuron.
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Identify the process by which neurons communicate electrically.
Identify the process by which neurons communicate electrically.
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Action potential. Electrical signal that enables rapid communication between neurons.
Action potential. Electrical signal that enables rapid communication between neurons.
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Name the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
Name the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
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Acetylcholinesterase. Enzyme that terminates acetylcholine action by breaking it down.
Acetylcholinesterase. Enzyme that terminates acetylcholine action by breaking it down.
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What is the role of the synaptic vesicles?
What is the role of the synaptic vesicles?
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Store neurotransmitters. Small sacs that contain and release neurotransmitters into the synapse.
Store neurotransmitters. Small sacs that contain and release neurotransmitters into the synapse.
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What effect does an inhibitory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?
What effect does an inhibitory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?
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Decreases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron less likely to reach threshold and fire.
Decreases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron less likely to reach threshold and fire.
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What effect does an excitatory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?
What effect does an excitatory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?
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Increases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to reach threshold and fire.
Increases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to reach threshold and fire.
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Which ion channels open during the repolarization phase of an action potential?
Which ion channels open during the repolarization phase of an action potential?
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Potassium channels. Channels that open to allow potassium efflux during membrane repolarization.
Potassium channels. Channels that open to allow potassium efflux during membrane repolarization.
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Which ion channels open during the depolarization phase of an action potential?
Which ion channels open during the depolarization phase of an action potential?
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Sodium channels. Voltage-gated channels that allow sodium influx during action potential initiation.
Sodium channels. Voltage-gated channels that allow sodium influx during action potential initiation.
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What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?
What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?
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Neuron. The fundamental building block that processes and transmits information throughout the nervous system.
Neuron. The fundamental building block that processes and transmits information throughout the nervous system.
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Identify the part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons.
Identify the part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons.
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Dendrites. Branch-like extensions that receive incoming chemical signals from other neurons.
Dendrites. Branch-like extensions that receive incoming chemical signals from other neurons.
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What is the gap between two neurons called?
What is the gap between two neurons called?
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Synapse. The junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.
Synapse. The junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.
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Name the chemical messengers that cross synapses.
Name the chemical messengers that cross synapses.
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Neurotransmitters. Chemical substances that carry signals between neurons across synaptic gaps.
Neurotransmitters. Chemical substances that carry signals between neurons across synaptic gaps.
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What is the resting potential of a neuron typically measured in millivolts?
What is the resting potential of a neuron typically measured in millivolts?
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-70 mV. The electrical charge of an unstimulated neuron at rest.
-70 mV. The electrical charge of an unstimulated neuron at rest.
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Identify the term for a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
Identify the term for a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.
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Action potential. A rapid electrical signal that propagates along the axon membrane.
Action potential. A rapid electrical signal that propagates along the axon membrane.
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What process describes a neuron returning to its resting state?
What process describes a neuron returning to its resting state?
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Repolarization. The process of restoring the neuron's negative electrical charge after firing.
Repolarization. The process of restoring the neuron's negative electrical charge after firing.
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Which ion enters the neuron during depolarization?
Which ion enters the neuron during depolarization?
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Sodium (Na⁺). Positive ion that rushes into the neuron causing depolarization.
Sodium (Na⁺). Positive ion that rushes into the neuron causing depolarization.
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What ion exits the neuron during repolarization?
What ion exits the neuron during repolarization?
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Potassium (K⁺). Positive ion that flows out of the neuron to restore resting potential.
Potassium (K⁺). Positive ion that flows out of the neuron to restore resting potential.
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