AP Psychology Flashcards: The Neuron And Neural Firing

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Neuron And Neural Firing, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Name the chemical messengers that cross synapses.

Answer: Neurotransmitters. Chemical substances that carry signals between neurons across synaptic gaps.

Flashcard 2: Identify the neurotransmitter that enhances alertness and arousal.

Answer: Norepinephrine. Excitatory neurotransmitter that increases attention and stress response.

Flashcard 3: What is the significance of the nodes of Ranvier?

Answer: Facilitate rapid conduction of nerve impulses. Gaps in myelin that allow saltatory conduction for faster signal transmission.

Flashcard 4: What process describes a neuron returning to its resting state?

Answer: Repolarization. The process of restoring the neuron's negative electrical charge after firing.

Flashcard 5: What is the function of the terminal buttons in a neuron?

Answer: Release neurotransmitters into the synapse. Axon endings that release neurotransmitters when stimulated by action potentials.

Flashcard 6: What effect does an inhibitory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?

Answer: Decreases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron less likely to reach threshold and fire.

Flashcard 7: What is the function of the axon in a neuron?

Answer: Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body. The axon conducts nerve impulses from the soma to the terminal buttons.

Flashcard 8: Identify the type of neuron that carries information to the central nervous system.

Answer: Sensory neuron. Afferent neurons that relay information from sensory organs to the brain.

Flashcard 9: What role do Schwann cells play in the peripheral nervous system?

Answer: Produce myelin. Glial cells that create insulating myelin sheaths around peripheral axons.

Flashcard 10: What neurotransmitter is linked to mood regulation and sleep?

Answer: Serotonin. Chemical messenger that affects mood, sleep cycles, and emotional well-being.

Flashcard 11: Which structure insulates axons and speeds up neural impulses?

Answer: Myelin sheath. Fatty white substance that wraps around axons to increase transmission speed.

Flashcard 12: Which neurotransmitter is known for its role in reward and pleasure?

Answer: Dopamine. Neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, and reward pathways.

Flashcard 13: Identify the part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons.

Answer: Dendrites. Branch-like extensions that receive incoming chemical signals from other neurons.

Flashcard 14: Which neurotransmitter is involved in muscle movement?

Answer: Acetylcholine. Primary neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions enabling muscle contraction.

Flashcard 15: What effect does an inhibitory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?

Answer: Decreases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron less likely to reach threshold and fire.

Flashcard 16: What effect does an excitatory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?

Answer: Increases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to reach threshold and fire.

Flashcard 17: Identify the term for a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Answer: Action potential. A rapid electrical signal that propagates along the axon membrane.

Flashcard 18: What is the term for the neuron's outer boundary?

Answer: Cell membrane. Selectively permeable barrier that controls ion movement in and out of the neuron.

Flashcard 19: Which ion enters the neuron during depolarization?

Answer: Sodium (Na⁺). Positive ion that rushes into the neuron causing depolarization.

Flashcard 20: What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?

Answer: Neuron. The fundamental building block that processes and transmits information throughout the nervous system.

Flashcard 21: What is the role of motor neurons?

Answer: Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles. Efferent neurons that carry commands from the brain to muscles and glands.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary component of the myelin sheath?

Answer: Lipids. Fatty substances that provide insulation and increase conduction velocity.

Flashcard 23: Which structure connects the cell body to the axon?

Answer: Axon hillock. Region where action potentials are generated in the neuron.

Flashcard 24: Which neurotransmitter is involved in muscle movement?

Answer: Acetylcholine. Primary neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions enabling muscle contraction.

Flashcard 25: Which ion channels open during the repolarization phase of an action potential?

Answer: Potassium channels. Channels that open to allow potassium efflux during membrane repolarization.

Flashcard 26: Which neurotransmitter is known for its role in reward and pleasure?

Answer: Dopamine. Neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, and reward pathways.

Flashcard 27: Name the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.

Answer: Acetylcholinesterase. Enzyme that terminates acetylcholine action by breaking it down.

Flashcard 28: Identify the neurotransmitter associated with pain relief.

Answer: Endorphins. Natural opiates that reduce pain perception and create feelings of well-being.

Flashcard 29: What role do Schwann cells play in the peripheral nervous system?

Answer: Produce myelin. Glial cells that create insulating myelin sheaths around peripheral axons.

Flashcard 30: Name the type of neuron that connects sensory and motor neurons.

Answer: Interneuron. Neurons within the CNS that process information between sensory and motor neurons.

Flashcard 31: Which structure insulates axons and speeds up neural impulses?

Answer: Myelin sheath. Fatty white substance that wraps around axons to increase transmission speed.

Flashcard 32: Identify the phase when the neuron cannot fire an action potential immediately.

Answer: Refractory period. Brief recovery time when the neuron cannot respond to new stimuli.

Flashcard 33: What is the threshold potential necessary to trigger an action potential?

Answer: -55 mV. The minimum voltage required to initiate an action potential.

Flashcard 34: Which part of the neuron contains the synaptic vesicles?

Answer: Axon terminal. The end portion of the axon where synaptic vesicles are located.

Flashcard 35: What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?

Answer: Neuron. The fundamental building block that processes and transmits information throughout the nervous system.

Flashcard 36: Identify the process of removing neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft.

Answer: Reuptake. Process where neurotransmitters are recycled back into the presynaptic neuron.

Flashcard 37: Which structure contains the neuron's genetic material?

Answer: Nucleus. Control center of the cell that houses DNA and regulates cellular functions.

Flashcard 38: What is the role of the synaptic vesicles?

Answer: Store neurotransmitters. Small sacs that contain and release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of the synaptic vesicles?

Answer: Store neurotransmitters. Small sacs that contain and release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Flashcard 40: Name the neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity in the brain.

Answer: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neural excitation.

Flashcard 41: What is the primary function of neurotransmitter receptors?

Answer: Bind neurotransmitters to initiate a response. Protein structures that receive and respond to specific neurotransmitter molecules.

Flashcard 42: What is the function of the axon in a neuron?

Answer: Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body. The axon conducts nerve impulses from the soma to the terminal buttons.

Flashcard 43: Name the neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity in the brain.

Answer: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neural excitation.

Flashcard 44: What is the term for the neuron's outer boundary?

Answer: Cell membrane. Selectively permeable barrier that controls ion movement in and out of the neuron.

Flashcard 45: What is the gap between two neurons called?

Answer: Synapse. The junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.

Flashcard 46: Which ion channels open during the repolarization phase of an action potential?

Answer: Potassium channels. Channels that open to allow potassium efflux during membrane repolarization.

Flashcard 47: What neurotransmitter is linked to mood regulation and sleep?

Answer: Serotonin. Chemical messenger that affects mood, sleep cycles, and emotional well-being.

Flashcard 48: Which ion enters the neuron during depolarization?

Answer: Sodium (Na⁺). Positive ion that rushes into the neuron causing depolarization.

Flashcard 49: Identify the part of the neuron that receives signals from other neurons.

Answer: Dendrites. Branch-like extensions that receive incoming chemical signals from other neurons.

Flashcard 50: What is the function of the terminal buttons in a neuron?

Answer: Release neurotransmitters into the synapse. Axon endings that release neurotransmitters when stimulated by action potentials.

Flashcard 51: Identify the neurotransmitter that enhances alertness and arousal.

Answer: Norepinephrine. Excitatory neurotransmitter that increases attention and stress response.

Flashcard 52: Which part of the neuron contains the synaptic vesicles?

Answer: Axon terminal. The end portion of the axon where synaptic vesicles are located.

Flashcard 53: Identify the process by which neurons communicate electrically.

Answer: Action potential. Electrical signal that enables rapid communication between neurons.

Flashcard 54: Identify the type of neuron that carries information to the central nervous system.

Answer: Sensory neuron. Afferent neurons that relay information from sensory organs to the brain.

Flashcard 55: Name the chemical messengers that cross synapses.

Answer: Neurotransmitters. Chemical substances that carry signals between neurons across synaptic gaps.

Flashcard 56: Identify the term for a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Answer: Action potential. A rapid electrical signal that propagates along the axon membrane.

Flashcard 57: Which structure connects the cell body to the axon?

Answer: Axon hillock. Region where action potentials are generated in the neuron.

Flashcard 58: Which structure contains the neuron's genetic material?

Answer: Nucleus. Control center of the cell that houses DNA and regulates cellular functions.

Flashcard 59: Identify the phase when the neuron cannot fire an action potential immediately.

Answer: Refractory period. Brief recovery time when the neuron cannot respond to new stimuli.

Flashcard 60: What process describes a neuron returning to its resting state?

Answer: Repolarization. The process of restoring the neuron's negative electrical charge after firing.

Flashcard 61: Name the type of neuron that connects sensory and motor neurons.

Answer: Interneuron. Neurons within the CNS that process information between sensory and motor neurons.

Flashcard 62: What is the significance of the nodes of Ranvier?

Answer: Facilitate rapid conduction of nerve impulses. Gaps in myelin that allow saltatory conduction for faster signal transmission.

Flashcard 63: What effect does an excitatory neurotransmitter have on the neuron?

Answer: Increases likelihood of firing an action potential. Makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to reach threshold and fire.

Flashcard 64: What is the primary function of neurotransmitter receptors?

Answer: Bind neurotransmitters to initiate a response. Protein structures that receive and respond to specific neurotransmitter molecules.

Flashcard 65: What is saltatory conduction?

Answer: Jumping of action potentials between nodes of Ranvier. Rapid conduction method where impulses jump between myelinated axon gaps.

Flashcard 66: Identify the process by which neurons communicate electrically.

Answer: Action potential. Electrical signal that enables rapid communication between neurons.

Flashcard 67: Identify the process by which ions flow to produce a nerve impulse.

Answer: Ion exchange. Movement of charged particles across the membrane creates electrical impulses.

Flashcard 68: Name the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.

Answer: Acetylcholinesterase. Enzyme that terminates acetylcholine action by breaking it down.

Flashcard 69: What is the role of motor neurons?

Answer: Transmit signals from the CNS to muscles. Efferent neurons that carry commands from the brain to muscles and glands.

Flashcard 70: What is the gap between two neurons called?

Answer: Synapse. The junction between neurons where chemical communication occurs.

Flashcard 71: What is the resting potential of a neuron typically measured in millivolts?

Answer: -70 mV. The electrical charge of an unstimulated neuron at rest.

Flashcard 72: What ion exits the neuron during repolarization?

Answer: Potassium (K⁺). Positive ion that flows out of the neuron to restore resting potential.

Flashcard 73: Identify the process by which ions flow to produce a nerve impulse.

Answer: Ion exchange. Movement of charged particles across the membrane creates electrical impulses.

Flashcard 74: What is the resting potential of a neuron typically measured in millivolts?

Answer: -70 mV. The electrical charge of an unstimulated neuron at rest.

Flashcard 75: Identify the process of removing neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft.

Answer: Reuptake. Process where neurotransmitters are recycled back into the presynaptic neuron.

Flashcard 76: Identify the neurotransmitter associated with pain relief.

Answer: Endorphins. Natural opiates that reduce pain perception and create feelings of well-being.

Flashcard 77: What ion exits the neuron during repolarization?

Answer: Potassium (K⁺). Positive ion that flows out of the neuron to restore resting potential.

Flashcard 78: Which ion channels open during the depolarization phase of an action potential?

Answer: Sodium channels. Voltage-gated channels that allow sodium influx during action potential initiation.

Flashcard 79: Which ion channels open during the depolarization phase of an action potential?

Answer: Sodium channels. Voltage-gated channels that allow sodium influx during action potential initiation.

Flashcard 80: What is saltatory conduction?

Answer: Jumping of action potentials between nodes of Ranvier. Rapid conduction method where impulses jump between myelinated axon gaps.

Flashcard 81: What is the primary component of the myelin sheath?

Answer: Lipids. Fatty substances that provide insulation and increase conduction velocity.

Flashcard 82: What is the threshold potential necessary to trigger an action potential?

Answer: -55 mV. The minimum voltage required to initiate an action potential.