Psychology2016

The Biological Perspective 55

Practice Quiz How much do you remember?

Pick the best answer.

1. Which part of the neuron carries messages to other cells?
   a. axon c. soma
   b. dendrite d. myelin


2. Which one of the following is NOT a function of glial cells?
   a. getting nutrients to the neurons
   b. generating action potentials
   c. cleaning up the remains of dead neurons
   d. generating myelin


3. When a neuron’s resting potential is occurring, the neuron is
   __ charged on the inside.
   a. positively c. both positively and negatively
   b. negatively d. neutrally
   4. Neurotransmitters must pass from an axon terminal to the next den-
   drite by crossing a fluid-filled space called the
   a. synapse. c. neuron.
   b. reuptake inhibitor. d. glial cell.
   5. The venom of a black widow spider acts as a(n) __ by
   mimicking the effects of acetylcholine.
   a. agonist c. protagonist
   b. antagonist d. glial cell
   6. Which of the following is associated with pain relief?
   a. acetylcholine c. serotonin
   b. glutamate d. endorphins

Concept Map LO. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Interactive

Reset

Neurons and Nerves

brain is

comprised

of neurons

and

glial cells

glial cells: provide physical

and metabolic support

to neurons; communicate

with other cells; specific

types have stem cell-like

properties; help maintain

homeostasis and serve as

partner cells to neurons

neurons:

specialized

cells in nervous

system; send

and receive

messages

within that

system

Schwann cells:

produce myelin in the

peripheral nervous system

oligodendrocytes:

produce myelin in the

central nervous system

fire in an

all-or-none fashion

cell firing is dependent

on sum of excitatory

and inhibitory messages

received by the cell

neurotransmitters (NTs) move across synapse and activate

ion channel receptor sites on adjacent cells; some NTs are

agonistic/excitatory, others are antagonistic/inhibitory

NT action stopped by exiting synapse; NTs end back up in

the releasing cell through reuptake or broken down by

enzymes

dendrites

soma

axon

made possible by balance between ions in and outside of the cell

membrane is semipermeable; inside is negatively charged as

compared to outside

change in the electrical

charge can result in an

action potential; cell fires;

inside becomes positive

relative to outside

have specialized

components

The nervous system is a network of cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body;

neuroscience is the field of study that deals with the structure of the brain and components of the nervous system

have an

electrical charge

at rest—the resting

potential

are affected by

neurotransmitters

(see Table 2.1);

chemicals that have

an effect on neurons

are separated by a gap

called the synapse;

when nerve impulse

reaches axon terminals,

neurotransmitter (NT)

is released into

synaptic space

myelin insulates axons

and speeds up transmission

of neural message

axon terminals

An Overview of the Nervous System

Now that we have looked at the cells that make up the nervous system and ways in
which they process and communicate information, take a look at Figure 2. 5. This fig-
ure shows the organization of the various parts of the nervous system and will help in