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neurophysiology, central nervous system, autonomic nervous system

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Question
Answer
graded potential   short-distance communication; at dendrites; initiated by a stimulus that opens an ion channel (usually Na+ or K+); stronger stimulus -> stronger graded potential; lose intensity over distance; spread by passive current flow  
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depolarizing ions   Na+, Ca2+ resting membrane potential becomes less negative, results in Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential (EPSP) that can produce an action potential if threshold is reached  
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hyperpolarizing ions   K+, Cl- resting membrane potential becomes more negative, results in Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential (IPSP) that is less likely to produce an action potential  
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EPSP   Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential  
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IPSP   Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential  
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threshold   what needs to be reached in order for an action potential to be generated as a result of graded potentials; for human cells, the RMP is -70, average threshold is -55.  
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summation of graded potentials   adding up of all active synapses at one time; two types of summation: 1. spatial 2. temporal  
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spatial summation   multiple synapses are active on different dendrites at the same time  
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temporal summation   synapses are active over a period of time  
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subthreshold graded potential   do not change the RMP to -55 and therefore do not result in an action potential  
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suprathreshold graded potential   change the RMP to -55 and produce an action potential  
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action potential   long-distance communication; initiated at the axon hillock if threshold is reached by activating voltage-gated channels; do not vary in magnitude or duration; do not degrade over distance; frequency determines strength  
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phases of the action potential   1. depolarization phase 2. repolarization phase 3. hyperpolarization phase  
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depolarization phase of an action potential   voltage-gated Na+ channel is activated; phase ends when the inactivation gate closes  
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repolarization phase of an action potential   voltage-gated K+ opens; ends when cell returns to RMP but open K+ result in hyperpolarization immediately following this stage  
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hyperpolarization phase of an action potential   voltage-gated K+ channels are still open from previous phase; ends when cell returns to RMP and K+ gates close  
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resting voltage gate   activation gate is closed, inactivation gate is open  
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open voltage gate   both activation gate and inactivation gate are open  
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inactivated voltage gate   activation gate is open, inactivation gate is closed  
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refractory period   time at which a neuron cannot be triggered because channels are already open or inactive  
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absolute refractory period   impossible to produce another action potential  
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relative refractory period   possible to produce another action potential, but only with a stronger than normal stimulus  
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axon hillock   point at which the action potential is initiated; where the first voltage-gated channels are located  
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axon potential speed   determined by axon diameter and myelination of the axon; larger diameter -> faster travel; myelinated axons -> faster travel; action potentials can travel as fas as 120 m/s in a large, myelinated axon  
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saltatory conduction   travel through myelinated axons, action potential "jumps" from one node of Ranvier to the next  
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Multiple Sclerosis   affects oligodendricytes of the CNS; degradation of myelin sheath results in action potential not being able to travel entire length of the axon  
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome   affects Schwann cells in the PNS; body attacks myelin sheaths and signal is weaker through axon  
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myelin   protective, insulating material around the axon that prevents leakage of charge out of the axon; there are no channels under the myelin so signal can travel very quickly through this section of the axon  
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factors that affect neuronal signaling   alteration in ion permeability; alteration in ion homeostasis; channel properties  
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hypernatremia   too much sodium in the plasma; depolarizes; neurons are hyperexcitable  
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hyponatremia   too little sodium in the plasma; hyperpolarizes; neurons are hypoexcitable  
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hyperkalemia   too much potassium in the plasma; depolarizes; neurons are hyperexcitable  
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hypokalemia   not enough potassium in the plasma; hyperpolarizes; neurons are hypoexcitable  
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synapse   junction between two neurons, where communication between neurons occurs  
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electrical synapse   results in voltage changes in the post-synaptic cell  
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chemical synapse   neurotransmitters are released by the pre-synaptic cell; bind to receptors on the post-synaptic cell  
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termination of neurotransmission   1. diffusion 2. enzymatic inactivation within the synaptic cleft 3. active transport into pre-synaptic terminal or glial cells  
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acetylcholine   only neurotransmitter that activates skeletal muscles  
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SSRI   Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitor; found in many anti-depressants, anxiety meds; inhibits reuptake of seratonin so that more seratonin is available to bind to receptors  
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acetylcholinesterase   enzyme that disables acetylcholine  
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reuptake   active transport of a neurotransmitter back to the pre-synaptic cell  
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brain stem   medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain  
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medulla oblongata   controls involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood vessel dilation/diameter  
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pons   controls sleep/wake cycles, respiration  
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midbrain   plays a role in cranial nerve function, especially visual and auditory  
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cerebellum   motor control; precision and coordination of movements  
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diencephalon   contains the thalamus and hypothalamus  
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thalamus   sensory relay center  
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hypothalamus   endocrine regulation; controls pituitary gland; responsible for many ANS functions  
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cerebrum   controls voluntary actions; contains primary sensory and motor areas; divided into left and right hemispheres  
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hyperexcitable neuron   requires less change in RMP to reach threshold because it is already depolarized due to hypernatremia or hyperkalemia  
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5 lobes of the brain   frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, insula (inside the brain, no cranial bone associated with it)  
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primary sensory/motor areas   located in different lobes of the brain, each area has a specific task - ie, vision, hearing, motor function, etc.  
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associative areas   "fine tunes" primary area functions, also involved with higher order tasks such as thinking, planning, emotional response, memory, learning, etc.  
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corpus callosum   division between left and right hemispheres; where axons cross from one hemisphere to the other  
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gray matter   cell bodies and dendrites  
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cortex   sulci and fissures of the surface of the cerebrum  
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nuclei   collections of gray matter that are located deep in the brain  
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white matter   tracts, commissures, columns  
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cranium   skull; protects the brain  
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meninges   dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater  
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cerebrospinal fluid   between the pia mater and arachnoid mater (subarachnoid space); protects and nourishes; 150mL volume is replaced about 3x/day  
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blood brain barrier   prevents passage of certain types of molecules between the blood and the brain; molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, nicotine, alcohol can easily pass;  
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choroid plexus   located in the ventricles of the brain; where cerebrospinal fluid is produced  
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ventricles of the brain   fluid filled spaces in the brain; 2 lateral ventricles, third ventricle, fourth ventricle  
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gray matter areas of the spinal cord   dorsal horn, ventral horn, lateral horn  
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white matter areas of the spinal cord   dorsal column, ventral column, lateral column  
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spinal nerves   nerves that carry sensory (dorsal root) or motor information (ventral root) to and from the spinal cord  
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dorsal horn   gray matter area of the spinal cord; sensory function  
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ventral horn   gray matter area of the spinal cord; motor function  
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lateral horn   gray matter are of the spinal cord; contains autonomic system neurons  
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dorsal column   white matter area of the spinal cord, carries sensory information to the brain (except pain and temperature)  
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ventral column   white matter area of the spinal cord, carries motor information from the brain to the effectors  
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lateral column   white matter area of the spinal cord  
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collateral   carries sensory information to the brain after a reflex occurs; allows awareness of reflex  
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polysynaptic reflex arc   reflex arc that involves more than two neurons (multiple synapses); involves a sensory neuron, an interneuron, and a motor neuron  
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monosynaptic reflex arc   reflex arc that involves only two neurons (one synapse); involves only a sensory and motor neuron  
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upper motor neuron syndrome   type of spinal cord damage that results in spastic paralysis, hypereflexia, positive Babinski test  
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lower motor neuron syndrome   type of spinal cord damage that results in flaccid paralysis, areflexia, muscle atrophy  
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higher order functions for motor control   1. motivation/idea 2. planning 3. execution 4. correction  
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higher order functions of the limbic system   1. outputs - feeling, emotional responses 2. motivation - dopaminergic rewards  
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limbic system   group of structures responsible for emotions and motivation  
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dopamine   neurotransmitter that activates reward/pleasure centers; alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, etc. also activate the dopamine reward system  
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sleep   active process required by all mammals; most neurons that control sleep and wake cycle are located in the pons and midbrain; sleep is restorative and may help bolster the immune system and memory function  
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histamine   neurotransmitter that makes you wakeful  
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antihistamine   inhibits histamine, given for inflammatory response; anti-histamines that cross the blood brain barrier (eg, Benadryl) will cause drowsiness; newer antihistamines (eg, Clartie, Zyrtec) do not cross the blood brain barrier  
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stages of sleep   Stages 1-4, low amplitude, low frequency waves; stage 4 is deepest, happens about 2 times each night  
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REM sleep   high frequency, low amplitude waves; stage of sleep at which dreams occur; average 4 REM periods each night; resembles brain activity when awake  
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types of sensations   1. conscious - somatic senses, special senses 2. subconscious - proprioception, visceral sensations  
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properties of sensation   conscious sensations - somatic, special senses unconscious sensations - proprioception, visceral sensations  
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special senses   vision, hearing, smell, taste  
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sensory receptors   1. photoreceptors 2. mechanoreceptors 3. chemoreceptors 4. thermoreceptors 5. nociceptors  
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photoreceptors   detect light; anaxonic (no axon); constantly releasing neurotransmitters  
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mechanoreceptors   respond to mechanical change, such as stretch, vibration, change in balance  
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chemoreceptors   respond to taste, odor, oxygen, carbon dioxide, changes in pH level of the blood  
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thermoreceptors   temperature, heat  
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nociceptors   pain, detection of potentially or actually harmful stimuli  
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sensory transduction   conversion of stimulus energy into a neuronal electrical signal; results in changes to membrane potential and possibly action potential if threshold is reached; all receptor potentials are depolarizing except photoreceptors  
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sensory receptor adaptation   decrease over time in the magnitude of the receptor potential when there is a constant stimulus;  
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receptive field of sensory neurons   physical location of sensory receptors; more receptors in an area results in greater sensitivity; larger fields have lower sensitivity than smaller fields; fingertips and lips are most sensitive  
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sensory integration   3 neuron relay 1. first order neuron (detects stimulus) 2. second order neuron (first neuron entirely in CNS, crosses the midline) 3. third order neuron (thalamus, axon goes to appropriate primary sensory cortex  
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CNS role in sensation   processes sensory information and allows for response  
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tonic receptors   adapt slowly to constant stimulus; examples include proprioceptors, baroreceptors (blood pressure)  
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phasic receptors   adapt rapidly to constant stimulus  
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modality/labeled line coding   allows for dedicated, separate pathways for different sensations that do not share neurons  
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lateral inhibition   when an excited neuron inhibits its neighbors  
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nociception   detection of pain; sensation of noxious stimuli  
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noxious stimuli   chemical, mechanical or thermal stimuli that are harmful  
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neuropathy   loss or gain of sensation; can be either loss of sensation or gain in sensation (neuropathic pain)  
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Adelta fibers   fast transmitting, medium diameter, myelinated axons; phasic; result in sharp, intense, highly localized pain sensations  
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C fibers   slower transmitting, small diameter, unmyelinated axons; tonic; result in more delayed and persistent pain sensation or inflammatory response  
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pain response   1. perception of pain 2. autonomic response (increased heart rate, sweating, blood pressure, dry mouth) 3. emotional response (fear, anxiety) 4. reflexive withdrawal  
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pain perception   fast/Adelta fibers; slow/C fibers  
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algesia   pain  
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hyperalgesia   increase in pain, overactive pain system (ex - shirt on sunburned skin)  
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analgesia   decrease in pain; can be due to natural pain suppression from periaqueductal gray, reticular formation and inhibitory interneurons or can be from a pharmaceutical analgesic  
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preiaqueductal gray   surrounds the cerebral aqueduct and releases endorphins and other internal opiode-type molecules  
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reticular formation   means by which pain sensations reach the cerebral cortex  
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referred pain   pain from visceral organs that is felt in other parts of the body; internal organs do not have own pain pathways, share wtih a second order neuron that is also stimulated by a somatic nociceptor  
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somatic motor neurons   motor neurons that are associated with voluntary actions  
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autonomic motor neurons   neurons associated with the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (pSNS)  
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Sympathetic Nervous System   "fight or flight" system; thoracolumbar division  
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Parasympathetic Nervous System   "rest and digest" system; craniosacral division  
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craniosacral division   Parasympathetic Nervous System; neurons are located in the brain stem and sacral region of the spinal cord  
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thoracolumbar division   Sympathetic Nervous System; neurons are located in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord  
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autonomic reflexes   reflexes that affect internal organs; involves ganglia  
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ganglia   collection of cell bodies outside the CNS where information is transferred  
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preganglionic   cell body is located in the brain or spinal cord  
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postganglionic   cell body is located outside the CNS in a ganglion  
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target   cell that responds to a signal from a neuron; ganglion is located near the target in the pSNS, far from the target in the SNS  
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autonomic spinal reflexes   polysynaptic; includes micturation, defecation, penile erection  
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visceral functions that are not under antagonistic control   all under tonic control at rest; blood vessel dilation/constriction, sweat glands, liver/adipose tissue; penile erection and ejaculation is coordinated by both systems, but not antagonistic  
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neurotransmitters of SNS   pre-ganglionic: Acetylcholine post-ganglionic: Norepinephrine  
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neurotransmitters of pSNS   pre-ganglionic: Acetlycholine post-ganglionic: Acetlycholine  
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effectors of the autonomic nervous system   smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, exocrine glands, some endocrine glands, lymphoid tissue, adipose tissue  
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norepinephrine   released by postganglionic SNS neurons  
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adrengenic receptors   receptors that bind to epinephrine and norepinephrine; two types: alpha and beta  
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alpha receptors   type of adrenergic receptor (epinephrine or norepinephrine); broadly distributed in the body  
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beta receptors   type of adrenergic receptor (epinephrine or norepinephrine); not broadly distributed in the body; beta1 - heart, beta2 - respiratory system, bronchioles, beta3 - adipose tissue  
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examples of pharamcological substances that act as agonists for beta receptors   albuterol, isoproterenol  
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examples of pharamcological substances that act as antagonists for beta receptors   propranolol, metropolol  
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adrenal gland   located on the kidney; releases epinephrine when stimulated by a preganglionic sympathetic neuron  
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epinephrine   adrenaline  
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muscarinic receptor   type of cholinergic receptor (for Acetylcholine) that is found only in the pSNS; used by the target cell  
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variscosities   swellings of an axon that contain neurotransmitters; like beads on a string  
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hypoexcitable neuron   a hyperpolarized neuron that will require more than normal change to the resting membrane potential to reach threshold; due to hyponatremia nad hypokalemia  
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nicotinic receptor   type of cholinergic receptor (for Acetylcholine) that is found in both pSNS and SNS; used by the postganglionic neuron  
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examples of pharmacological substance that acts as an antagonist for a muscarinic cholinergic receptor   atropine  
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